Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 . __ . . -*- N A M V E T -*- ____/ \_ . . ( * \ . . Managing Editor \ Quangtri . . -------------- \_/\ \_ Hue . . G. Joseph Peck \_Ashau Phu Bai . . \_* \_ . . \ * ) . . Distribution Manager _/ Danang . . Jerry Hindle ( \_*Chu Lai . . \_ ------- \__ . . Section Editors \_ I Corps \ . . --------------- \ ------- ! . . AGENT ORANGE: Martin H. Kroll, Sr. /\_____ ! . . MIA-POW : / ! \ . . REUNIONS: Glen Kepler ! !___ \ . . CHAPLAIN: ! \/\____! . . HOMELESSNESS: Lefty Frizzell ! ! . . FEDERAL BENEFITS: Jim Hildwine / Dak To ! . . INCARCERATED VETS: Todd C. Looney / * / . . Joyce Flory ! \_ . . MEMORIES: G. Joseph Peck ! Phu Cat\ . . IN-TOUCH: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau \ * * ) . . \ Pleiku ) . . -**- N A M V E T -**- \ \ . . / / . . "In the jungles of 'Nam, some of us ( -------- ! . . were scared and wary, but we pulled _\ II Corps ! . . one another along and were able / -------- \ . . to depend on each other. That has \ \ . . never changed. Today, free of the ! * / . . criticisms and misunderstandings _/ Nhatrang / . . many veterans have endured, _/ / . . NAM VET is a shining beacon, __/ ! . . a ray of hope, and a _ __/ \ ! . . reminder that the _____( )/ ! Camranh Bay . . lessons learned / !__ ! . . at such a high / \ / . . price shall not \ Bien Hoa \ / . . be forgotten - ! Chu Chi * \ __/ . . nor the errors \_ * --------- \ ___/ . . repeated!!!" ____ \ III Corps \ _/ . . / \_____) )_(_ --------- !__/ Duplication in . . ! ( ___/ any form permitted . . _____! \__ * ___/ for NONCOMMERCIAL . . ! Saigon/ purposes ONLY! . . \___ -------- / \/ . . \ IV Corps / For other use, contact: . . ) -------- / . . / ! G. Joseph Peck (413) 442-1660 . . / ____/ Managing Editor . . / Mekong/ . . ! Delta/ This newsletter is comprised of articles . . ! ____/ and items from individuals and other . . ! / sources. We are not responsible for the . . ! / content of this information nor are any of . . ! __/ NAM VETs contributors or Section Editors. . . \_/ gjp . . . NAM VET Newsletter Page i Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 ================================================================= T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S 1. EDITORIALS The Wheel Goes Around... ................................ 1 Vaya Con Dios ........................................... 3 Thanks, brothers and sisters! ........................... 5 2. Missing!!! Lookin' for Bobby ....................................... 8 Locating Missing War Buddies ............................ 9 Just Prayers Will Do! ................................... 10 They haven't forgutten US!!! ............................ 12 3. In-Touch Friends of Vietnam Vets Needs Your Help ................. 13 In-Touch: What is it??? ................................. 15 IN-TOUCH Registration/Request Form!!! ................... 18 It's Not Finished Yet ................................... 20 4. Silenced Warriors Native Spiritual Councils, Inc. ......................... 22 A visit or note once in awhile? ......................... 23 VVA Pushes Incarcerated Bills ........................... 24 5. NamVet's Quiet Corner 12 Steps for A Vietnam Veteran .......................... 28 The Electronic Chapel ................................... 29 Helping Disabled Vets ................................... 30 6. But Its ONLY Heat Rash! The Secret Agent ........................................ 31 Break out the Clearasil ! ........................... 38 7. Sand Fleas n' Camels IRAQ - Dismal Deja vu ................................... 39 Supporting our Saudi Troops ............................. 41 The U.S. and Poison Gas ................................. 42 Free Fax to Saudi Soldiers! ............................. 43 8. We CAN Do Something! Angry about Flag Abuse? ................................. 44 9. Not-So-Secret Service Info Common Reenlistment Codes ............................... 46 SPN Codes - All ya ever wanted to know! ................. 48 10. Hearts n' Minds Native American Veterans ................................ 57 A 'Nam Vets Daughter .................................... 59 Finally Here!!! ......................................... 60 Vets aren't Fonda New Neighbor .......................... 61 Look what they're doin' to our song! .................... 62 11. IVVEC & NamVet - WHERE? IVVEC Nodelist .......................................... 63 NamVet Roll Call ........................................ 66 Some Gave All... ........................................ 68 NAM VET Newsletter Page ii Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 ================================================================= E D I T O R I A L S ================================================================= The Wheel Goes Around... Editorial by: G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 A family emergency called me away at the beginning of September... Ex-wife was finding the goin' a bit tough what with our 15-goin' on-35-year-old daughter who struggled daily for her sense of independence... And my son... In the Active Reserves, my son was anticipating a call "at any moment" to be called up to go to Saudi Arabia. He talked a lot about "smokin' some camels" and doin' somethin' to desert people. Sheesh... I've been THERE before... [fade to 1964]... Join the service? Hmmm... The GI Bill seemed to help my father and mother a bit, seemed to help a few others I knew pay for their education, home loans, and delivery of their children. Military Service? Sounds like a GREAT opportunity! Just think... I'll get training, three squares, a roof over m' head, and there's no place to go but forward! Paul kept telling me about the tremendous heat when the plane door opened in 'Nam. "It'll take your breath away, Joe!" No problem, though, I was now a soldier. Been taught by the best... I'll be catchin' up to ya, Paul... Just wait, bro' - gotta finish Basic and AIT first. Then I'll be there. Interesting "coincidence": The motto of my Basic Training Unit (G-Company, 3rd Training Regt, Fort Dix, NJ) was "Golf Company goes FORWARD!!!" Dreams... Anticipation... "I can be anything I work hard enough to be!" Turned down from-the-ranks nomination to West Point. Wanted to see MORE before I made a decision which would involve the rest of my life. OCS instead... But FIRST must attend NCO school. Was to start on 15 Mar 65... volunteered (ahhh THAT word again!) for mission 13 Mar 65... Learned REAL quick that all the dreams, all the anticipation, all the goals, can be ended in a split second. End result: Honorable discharge (after near-four month stay in Army hospitals). Paul's name is on the Wall. His hard work, dreams, and whatever HE looked forward to ended in a split-second in 'Nam... where I never got to follow... [fade to early-September, 1990] "You're an awful lot like me, Son... Same MOS when you've finished your Basic and AIT; same drive to do the best you can for your country. Bet tears even come to YOUR eyes when you're standin' in formation and "God Bless America" comes over the PA System. You, too, son, have that DRIVE to make somethin' out of yourself and what you do. I'm proud of that. I'm proud of YOU for doin' what I've already tried to do... NAM VET Newsletter Page 1 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 I've got this real dichotomy of feelings right now, though. On the one hand, I want you to not put your life in places where it can quickly be snuffed out - along with all the hopes and dreams of your mother and I and yourself. On the other hand, Son, I want you stand proudly for what you believe in - to defend your beliefs against attack by any person or country. I'm proud that you believe in America and what it stands for. But, ya know, Son... I really know that you're doin' what YOU think is right - and that's JUST the way we've tried to raise you: to stand up STRONG for what you believe in, to make the best out of ANY situation, and to come out of it all a winner! Ya make this vet PROUD! [fade to present] Well... I've returned to VETLink #1 and doin' the NamVet's. Difficult situations in Florida seem to be well in-hand and we're movin' right along up here. As you can see by Todd's editorial, the "torch has passed" to us and to a different effort for NamVet and IVVEC. Amazin' the parallels... I got a "real-life" sample of it while I was away in Tampa, FL for two weeks! It's totally up to US now, folks... We NEED your submissions for future NamVet's and our various section editors (who do one heck of a 5-by-5 job!) need input from you! 'til next month Show a brother or sister veteran that YOU care!!! Ci'ao for Ni'ao - Joe - NAM VET Newsletter Page 2 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Vaya Con Dios Parting Editorial by: Todd Looney NamVet's CoCreator and Editor Emeritus VIETNAM VETERANS VALHALLA - San Jose, CA (408) 298-2740 > What's happened to you? Where ya been? WHY don't we > hear from ya anymore? I'm really sorry to have abandoned the IVVEC and the NAM VET bro, but the most important things in my life right now are Nancy and my son Jeremy. As you might recall my saying to you some time ago,the excess amount of time I dedicated to the veteran's projects while Nancy and I were living together contributed greatly to the disintegration of our marriage. Nancy and I still love each other a great deal, and have been attempting to reconstruct what we can of our relationship and I cannot afford to permit extra curricular activities such as the computer and BBS to interfere with that process in any way. I have been able to sneak a little time in here and there whenever the opportunity presents itself to maintain the Valhalla, but even that has been infrequent and sporadic at best. To add to this, I have finally succeeded in winning custody of my son Jeremy after a long, painful, drawn out legal battle against the court system and his estranged mother which has left me emotionally exhausted to say the least. What little spare time I have is being obligated toward invaluable school and PTA-related activities in support of Jeremy's educational welfare. To be completely honest and frank with you, my dear friend, my present priorities do not include the IVVEC or the NAM VET. I can't even truthfully determine when, if ever, they will be again. I'm so sorry to drop this on you, but I think it's better to be up front with you than to sidestep the issue any longer. > Hey Bro... You n' I started somethin' that's in quite > high a demand... Ya left for a bit and I tried to cover m' > brother's backside with the echo (IVVEC) and NamVet. Now I > hardly ever see a message posted from you and/or your board... > hardly ever hear from you concerning what we began Veterans' > Day, 1987 I sincerely believe with all my soul that you know how much our accomplishments together mean to me Joe. I hope as deeply that you understand how painful it must be for me to have to let it all go, but there are just no feasible alternatives at this time in my life. You valiantly took the helm without question during my absence and continued to mold the IVVEC and the NAM VET into what they are today, and when I came back I honestly could not find a role for me there which was as rewarding as the one I served prior to my untimely departure last year. You demonstrated your ability to manage things quite efficiently and productively during that time without me beside you, and I have confidence that such will be the case without my presence now and in the future. You have assembled a loyal team of concerned and capable men and NAM VET Newsletter Page 3 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 women who have consistently demonstrated their willingness to do whatever they can to help you facilitate the future success of both invaluable projects. I intend to continue making the IVVEC and NAM VET Newsletters available to both Valhalla members and Email Freq's as I always have, so will retain my link to the FidoNet EchoMail Backbone as well as be Freq'ing the NAM VET from VETLink#1 monthly. I will also stay in touch with you and other who I care for by Email from time to time, so don't think you've gotten rid of me completely (grin). I wouldn't even be surprised to see my name pop up every now and then in the IVVEC when I get the chance. > <<<<<< HUGS >>>>>> <<<<<< HUGS >>>>>> <<<<<< HUGS >>>>>> Those hugs will always mean a lot to me little bro'. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Your friend for life, Todd NAM VET Newsletter Page 4 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Thanks, brothers and sisters! Editorial by: Joyce Flory NAM VETs Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 Hi folks; The following is a sample of what I'm getting from incarcerated vets. These guys DO want and need your support. Please start writing to them. Who knows, you may have served with them under a nickname. Copied by written permission from Vernon E. Miller: "Dear Joyce: A special greetings to you. And my own special thanks for your endeavors. This being in the form of your program, that of a Pen- pal program for incarcerated Viet Nam Vets. My name is Vernon E. Miller, but I prefer Vern. I am 43 years young, caucasian, but I pride myself on being very opened minded. My interests fall along the lines of outdoor activity, such as walks through the wild, camping, fishing, and the likes. Also, I've driven stock cars in the past and still enjoy auto racing. And though it does grieve me to say this, I am divorced. And I served 6 years in the US Army Military Police. I was in Viet Nam 1968-1969. Stationed in the Central highlands, Pleiku, to be exact. I am a Christian. I spend many hours in Bible studies. I also enjoy reading books on and about Viet Nam. In addition to this I also enjoy drawing, but, most of all, I have to say, I thrive on mail. I enjoy corresponding with others and learning about and from them. But, this is a problem. You see I get such few letters that when I do receive one, it is treasured. I have tried various Christian Pen-Pal outreaches, all with little success. I was given your address by fellow vets from our chapter of the VVA. I will be willing to write and receive mail from just about anyone. I have little problems in discussing Viet Nam related matters with any one. In fact I will go as far as to say I am able to talk about almost anything. So whomever should write me can feel completely at ease in discussing anything they wish. Well, in closing, I will say that it is my sincerest of wishes that an answer to this correspondence will not be long in coming. And that you have my heart felt wishes for success in your endeavors. As well as my prayers for God's blessing to be abundantly yours." I have answered this letter and sent the MIA\POW stamp petition, along with Ray Moreau's In Touch pamphlets and got word back that they were all greatly appreciated and that they would like a copy of the newsletter (on disc,which I'll do once I get it). Let's start supporting this effort by writing to some of the incarcerated!! The following list is one I've accumulated over the past 10 months. Please use it. Here's the latest addresses I have on Vietnam Vets that are incarcerated and would like pen-pals. NAM VET Newsletter Page 5 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Whitmarsh Bailey #56715 Jack Baack #57098 Chris S. Crespin #45523 Dennis E. Prentis #43497 PO Box R Buena Vista, Colo. 81211 Thomas Adams (don't write unless single female he tells me) Donald E. Head Dwight L. Lyons Mamie Harris EG 172282 RCI Box 98409 Columbus, Ga. 31907 George Hebert (not a Namvet, but good people) Ron Gohn T2-rm 273 Lance Koren Richard Ortiz Arthur Coy Tyrone Smith Kevin M. Pennell Robert Thompson Leslie Gomes Frank Komnenus PO Box 466 Gardner, Mass. 01440 Billy Borkman #125740 (0221) (not seeking penpal but will answer) V Burton #108483 (A-120) M Davenport #155165 (N-321) M Donati #150219 (D-71) J Grace #136189 (B-108) M Glennon #140901 (O-101) (Non-vet that likes to write) J Heidinger #102513 (O-421) C Ladison #138228 (O-330) G Magno #112810 (N-418) W Merriman #131789 (A-66) L Rainsford #126380 (B-108) A Shah #101250 (O-417) G Stovall Jr. #98899 (O-328) R Sutton #141041 (O-317) Nottoway Correctional PO Box 488 Burkeville, Va. 23922 Jamal R. Rashid #110781 Dorm D-2 Joseph Huggins #99433 " D-6 Preston Parker #118311 " D-5 William Moran #131271 " D-2 Le'roi Mason #104969 " D-5 David Bailey #153526 " D-2 Oliver Mayfield #106330 " HA-2 John Harris #133342 " HA Robert Hall #148001 " HA James Moody #160399 " D-4 William Simmons #106399 " D-4 Charlie Sherman #128403 " D-6 Carlton Heflin #170297 " D-5 NAM VET Newsletter Page 6 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Matthew Sanders #166545 " D-4 Micheal Kay #136567 " D-5 David Swink #157682 " D-6 Gordon Cawthron #135734 " D-6 Curtis Wright #125330 " HA Roger Baxter #157594 " D-2 Thomas Hawley #167124 " D-5 Luther C. Beasley #110375 " D-2 James River C.C.R. State Farm, Va. 23160 George W. Bud (?) AJ2110 Vernon E. Miller Sr. AJ1004 Darryl Houseman AJ1063 Drawer A Old Route 22 Cresson,Penn. 16630-0010 NAM VET Newsletter Page 7 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 ================================================================= M i s s i n g ! ! ! ================================================================= Lookin' for Bobby By: Joyce Flory NAM VETs Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 Hi folks: All this hoopla going on in the middle east has brought up a subject I had almost forgot, for me. For over 13 years I've carried a box of military papers, clothing and personal stuff of a Vietnam vet I met while in Weisbaden, West Germany. He entrusted me with his things, as his weight limit for discharge would not allow this ONE box. I've carried it from West Germany to New Mexico to California and back to New Mexico. I've seen him once since carrying this box (he was intransit to a new job and couldn't take it with him). "I'll send for it," he told me. This was in about 1978 or 79. He wrote me from a helicopter firefighting unit he worked with in Washington state and Alaska. The last word from him circa 1982-83 was from Jedda Saudi Arabia (hence my tie-in). I talked with his folks about 6 years ago (they knew less than I did) and I sent them some of the military papers so they could conduct their own search, but never heard anything back from them. Now for my request... The man's name is Bobby (Robert) R. Campbell 415-54-6961 CW3 according to the discharge papers I have USARPC- Wiesbaden (W38RAA A) w/dy. Can anyone out there help me find my long lost friend or his family (he had at least one ex- and a son, I think). If further info is needed, just ask. I have a whole box of papers - tell me what I need to look for. All I know about his Nam days is that he was a helicopter pilot, but he didn't talk too much about Nam, so I don't know what he did. I don't know if it'll help any, but his CB "handle" in West Germany was "Blackjack" (he said it was a nickname he picked up along the way and considering he retired a 25? year man, I assume the nickname came from the military). Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated. Before any of you say anything. I've already contacted Ray Moreau and it was his suggestion that I put this message here, and he's looking into it for me. Thanks, Joyce NAM VET Newsletter Page 8 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 THOUSANDS OF VETERANS LOCATE WAR TIME BUDDIES Input by: Joe Meadors SeaBat BBS - Corpus Christi, TX (512) 387-6638 MILITARY INFORMATION ENTERPRISES Post Office Box 340081 Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234 (512) 828-4054 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lt. Col. Richard S. Johnson (512) 828-4054 Thousands of people have been helped by the information in a popular book that has recently been revised and expanded. Among those benefiting from this book are veterans of all wars looking for former comrades, lawyers looking for heirs to estates, people looking for missing relatives and businesses seeking people who are delinquent on their bills. Hundreds of reunion organizers have used this book with very successful results, as have many genealogical researchers. This unique book "HOW TO LOCATE ANYONE WHO IS OR HAS BEEN IN THE MILITARY: Armed Forces Locator Directory" provides numerous methods to locate anyone who is or has been in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reserves. It contains directories of hundreds of federal, state, military, private and veteran agencies and organizations. They can either provide addresses and telephone numbers of the missing person or can forward letters to them. It also explains how to obtain copies of unit or ship rosters and military personnel records of current, former, retired and deceased military members. This book is the only one available that contains this highly specialized information. It was written by Lt. Col. Richard S. Johnson who served over 27 years in the military and is an expert on locating military personnel. The book is published by Military Information Enterprises, PO Box 340081-N, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234. $15.00 post paid or call 1-800-999-8068. NAM VET Newsletter Page 9 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Just Prayers Will Do! By: Joe Krickenbarger-Oliver Texas Father's BBS - Tomball, TX (713) 376-4767 Dear Brotherhood of Veterans: I am not usually lost for words, but today I am. I address this letter to The Brotherhood of Veterans as I send to to Veterans of all Wars many went to, or gave their life in to defend what we have in this Country today. Today I received a letter in the mail from a united states marines wife, the wife of a man who spent 5 years in a POW camp. His sons a Marine NamVet, and His sons son is a Marine who is engaged within Saudi Arabia. I want to share some lines of this message with you, as maybe there is a brotherhood that can get where I can't today and extend a hand, a smile, a ride. "Dearest Joe, Jane & Josiah: My copy letters will explain. Our lives are in complete collapse as Beryl fights terminal cancer (in the liver too) - his major surgery got it in the colon, but not all of it. Mid-week we got news, Keith Jr., is in Saudi Arabia. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Excerpts from insert she sent me. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "Beryl had a very bad weekend but is better now. The chemo did not affect him too drastically. All is paid for him here at the VA as an ex-POW. That is great for us who have such a small income and savings going, going. But, contacting every military organization for help for housing has netted zilch." "So due to no housing, distance to far to get to the VA, we must look somewhere else for help." "Beryl does not have SS. thus no medicare - if he did ALL would be paid for." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Any one (out in NamVetLand) on this ECHO (VIETNAM_VETS) who lives in this area who can spare a hello, the offer of a ride to the VA for Beryl's treatments and moral support, suggestions on benefits available that might help meet their needs, please contact them. If you are a WWII vet, you share an even closer brotherhood with Beryl. If you were a POW during that period, even closer. They can be contacted at: Beryl Hall c/o Lorrain 19609 S.E. 284th Kent, Washington 98042. The Phone number is: Area Code: 206-631-3063 If you can't call drop Beryl a line. Of course these are just my feelings, what happens is up to you. All who pray, send a few Beryl & Pats way and one for Keith, Jr. who is in Saudi. NAM VET Newsletter Page 10 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 I believe in Miracles. Thanks to those who can and can't, but would like to. Joe NAM VET Newsletter Page 11 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 W W M M W W M M M M W W \ / M M M M OOOO W W W --*-- M M M IIII O O W W W W / \ M M II O O W W W W M M II O O W W M M II O O II PPPPPP O O ..... II AA PP PP OOOO . '' '' .. IIII A A PP PP ..' '.. A A PPPPPPP ..' ''. A A PP ..' '. AAAAAA PP .' ''. A A PP .' '. A A .' .:::::.. '. .' .::::::::::. ' .' .::::::::::::::. '. .' __ .::::::::::::::::;:... '. .' _- -_ .:::::::::::::::::::::::. '. .' _-_ _ _ -_ ::::::::::::::::::::::::' '. .. _- -!!___!!!-_:::::::::::::::::::::::. .. .' ==_ _- _= .:::::::::::::::::::::::: ', . =-_= _= = :::::::::::::::::::::::: . .' =-_ =_- = ::::::::::::::::::::::: '. .' = - -_ =_:::::::::::::::::::::. '. .' -_ -_- .:::::::::::::::::::;;;. '. .' _-_ ..::::::::::::::::::::::::; '. . _ _ .:;:::::::::::::::::::::;, . ' _ .:::::::::::::::::::::::::. '. Y .'.....::::::::::::::::::::::::::;' '. N ::::::::::::::::::::::::' `''' ': O `::::::::::::::::::::::: \v/ \ / :'E `:::::::::::::::::::::: =========================== :' U `:::::::::::::::::::::. /^\ \ :'T `:::::::::::::::::::: .: A `:::::::::::::::::: .:'T `::::::::::::::::::. .;' R `:::::::::::::::::. .;' T `::::::::::::::::. .;' E `:::::::::gjp::: .:' O `:::::::::::::...........'' G N O T F O R " Bring them home --- NOW !!! " NAM VET Newsletter Page 12 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 ================================================================= I n - T o u c h ================================================================= Friends of Vietnam Vets Needs Your Help By: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau NAM VETs IN-TOUCH Section Editor Herndon Byte eXchange - Herndon, VA (703) 471-8010 Dear Fellow IVVECNet Sysop, User and NamVet Reader: I am writing to you on behalf of the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial concerning a matter of great urgency. You may have visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington in which case you know firsthand what an important place it is. You probably saw on the faces of the visitors there, the pain and the very real need to resolve personal issues resulting from the war in Vietnam. You may have also seen one of the Friends volunteers or staff helping the National Park Service rangers by assisting visitors with questions, helping them find names and make rubbings, or even giving a gentle hug and an understanding ear where needed to ease the painful tears and help begin the healing. The Friends began as a small volunteer effort at the Wall, for just these purposes, but it has quickly grown to embrace the needs of people far beyond those who are able to come to Washington to touch a name on the Wall. For instance: Over 20,000 people have asked for and received a rubbing of the name of a very special person listed on the Wall. Each rubbing was done and sent with the same care and respect that one would use when folding and presenting the flag, for these rubbings are family heirlooms, treasured beyond words. Every Fathers Day at sunrise, Friends volunteers line the Wall with roses and to each is attached a special personal message sent in by a family member or friend. A program called "In Touch", developed with the cooperation of Electronic data Systems, Zenith Data Systems, Borland International, FastComm, Quarterdeck Office Systems and Hewlett-Packard, allows people who knew the same person on the Wall to find each other and to give long overdue recognition and to pass on important information or mementos. For the family members of those men and women listed on the Wall, as well as for veterans, this is an extremely important experience. All of these services and more are offered free of charge to anyone who needs them. But the Friends can only operate with the help of many people, like you and I, who understand the importance of the Memorial and the work that the friends do. And it is very important work indeed. There are a lot of people who would like to say that the war was long ago and no longer affects peoples lives. But the sad fact is that if we now wanted to build a Wall of names for those veterans who have committed suicide since returning home, it would have to be even larger than the Memorial in Washington, for there are more names. All of us have been shaken, in one way or another, by that war and the saddest part is that we have not been able to talk about NAM VET Newsletter Page 13 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 it or address it, so the healing never begins. But the Friends give people a chance. And in the process, they see that the Memorial is cared for to the best possible degree. However, they need our help and support. I have gladly given mine and now I want to ask you to do the same. In return, the Friends will recognize your concern for Vietnam veterans, their families and loved ones, and all the other people whose lives are listed between the lines of names on the Memorial. For your contribution of $100 or more, you (or your firm) will be proudly listed in the Roll of Honor maintained by the Friends at their information site at the Memorial which is visited by over three million people a year. In addition, you will receive a Certificate of Honor from the Friends, suitable for framing and display at home or at work, attesting to your support of the Memorial and those who work in its service. You will also be recognized in their newsletter which is distributed to their entire membership and to many thousands of visitors at the Wall, free of charge. Your contribution is, of course, fully tax-deductible. For a more modest contribution of $20 or more, you can become a member of the Friends and receive not only the newsletter and other member benefits, but a beautiful gold lapel pin proudly identifying you as someone who still cares deeply. It is very important that you do this as soon as possible (today would be best) so the Friends can continue to serve so many deserving Americans and to honor so many who served when they were asked. Send your check today to: Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial 1224 M St., NW Washington, DC 20005 I appreciate your support and your understanding. Yours in faith, most sincerely, Ray "Frenchy" Moreau USN (Retired) ...but not from life, the Wall won't let me. NAM VET Newsletter Page 14 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 In-Touch. What is it ??? Input by: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau NAM VETs IN-TOUCH Section Editor Herndon Byte eXchange - Herndon, VA (703) 471-8010 ================================================================= |+++++++++++++++++++++++++ IN TOUCH ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++| | There are some 43 million people in the United States whose | | lives were directly and irrevocably touched by the Vietnam | | War. | | | | Almost four million people served in Vietnam -- the longest, | | and perhaps most difficult, war in our history. More than a | | quarter of a million were seriously wounded. 58,175 are dead | | or missing. | | | | Each of those who returned recognizes the true cost of war. | | But so too do the families and friends, wives and lovers of | | those listed on the Wall. They too paid a tremendous price, | | not always recognized... many still do. | | | | Though twenty years have passed, it seems that is the period | | people have needed to get the distance necessary to begin to | | address the unresolved, deeply personal issues that have | | been haunting them since the war. Perhaps that is a measure | | of the pain. | | | | But, the "healing of a nation" that was intended by the | | building of the Memorial, has begun. | | | | In the office of the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans | | Memorial, we hear them on the other end of the phone on | | any given day, and far into the night, they call from all | | corners of the country. | | | | "If only I could find out..." | | "I need to find his family so I can keep my promise..." | | "I just want to talk to someone who was with him... " | | "Please, can you help...?" | | | | At the Wall, we find them every day. Veterans who have not | | spoken of their experiences even to their most intimate | | family members are now beginning, tentatively, to seek a | | responsive ear. | | | | Brothers and sisters, parents and even wives who were simply | | never allowed full expression of their grief because of the | | fierce pressures of the time, are now coming forward, | | looking for someone who can help with their healing. | | | | We hear from children, now 15 - 25 years old, who are | | searching for bits and pieces of information they can | | assemble to help fill that empty place in their lives that | | is the father they never knew well, if at all. And they want | | to talk to each other, to share their special needs and the | | unique experience of growing up with a father on the Wall. | | They understand each other all too well. | NAM VET Newsletter Page 15 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 | | | Millions of Americans need to meet and talk because of the | | Wall, and only the Friends can help them. | | | | Initial discussions with many other national organizations | | whose work brings them into contact with Vietnam veterans | | and their loved ones have attested to the need for IN TOUCH | | and their willingness to help. | | | | Simply put, the Friends will draw on its special work at the | | Memorial, its acquired and available data bases and | | programs designed and integrated by Electronic Data Systems | | (EDS), and the commitment and concern of its volunteers to | | place people with a common association to a name on the Wall | | to be in voluntary communication with each other. | | | | From there, we will let human nature take its good course. | | And let the healing begin. | | | | The starting point for the data base will be the more than | | twenty thousand names of people who have requested name | | rubbings from our volunteers in Washington. Each will be | | contacted and given the opportunity to participate by being | | listed in the IN TOUCH central data base file. | | | | Confidentiality is the keyword to cooperation and IN TOUCH | | will respect the integrity of all lists and records. Lists | | will be unavailable for public use and will not be | | distributed for any commercial purpose. | | | | By its nature, IN TOUCH must reach far beyond the veterans | | community in order to be successful. With professional | | guidance, the Friends will develop a program of on-going | | articles and other coverage in major media markets, high- | | lighting the personal experiences of people as they are put | | "in touch." The International Vietnam Veterans Echo | | Conference via the Herndon Byte eXchange 1:109/316 node as | | the enter point for gathering and disseminating information | | will be used. Aside from bringing the program into public | | awareness, these articles and stories will serve as a val- | | uable tool for public education on a wealth of matters | | relating to the Vietnam era. | | | | As a preliminary test of the IN TOUCH project, the Friends | | has implemented a pilot project to test the design and | | demands of such a program. Several hundred requests with | | full background information have been entered into a system | | designed to match requestor data with the existing Memorial | | data. Even with such a small sample, limited data and a | | fairly unsophisticated cross-indexing system, matches have | | been made and IN TOUCH has produced its first real | | connections. The results have been as profoundly moving for | | the participants as expected. And as gratifying for the | | Friends. | | | | But it was clear that the information management system and | | the supporting hardware system would have to be more power- | | ful and more complex in order to handle thousands, perhaps | | hundreds of thousands, of requests. Confidentiality of the | NAM VET Newsletter Page 16 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 | system and information must be paramount. | | | | With well over 2,000 Vietnam veterans, Electronic Data | | Systems (EDS) became involved and has been generous in its | | assistance with designing the data management systems which | | will be critical to a successful program. The Friends have | | reached a three-year working agreement with EDS which | | promises continuity and maximum potential for success in | | building an information bank that can truly help people in | | their search for others who knew a loved one. | | | | The Friends are delighted that Bob Hope has agreed to make | | a public service announcement which we can use on radio and | | television to help get the word out to the public on the | | availability of the service. | | | | The Friends are also pleased to note that Hewlett Packard, | | Zenith Data Systems, Borland International, FASTCOMM | | Communications Corporation and the First National Bank of | | Chicago have all contributed computer equipment, computer | | software, and office equipment to the project, so they are | | beginning to feel fully functional. | | | | The Friends hear from people who have long been living with | | the pain of loss and looking for a way to heal. For | | instance, the Friends recently received a letter from a | | woman who wrote: | | | | Dear Friends: | | For quite some time I have been searching for a | | way to know my brother. It seems hopeless at times. | | I was 12 when he was killed... I had waited for the | | day he would come back to us. He never did. A part | | of me will always be 12 and continue to wait. | | Thank you for giving me hope that there may be | | a way to find him and bring him home to my heart..." | | | | + + + | | | | The Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial | | Electronic Data Systems | | Herndon Byte eXchange TCOMMnet BBS 1:109/316 | | | |+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++| NAM VET Newsletter Page 17 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 IN-TOUCH Registration/Request Form Input by: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau NAM VETs IN-TOUCH Section Editor Herndon Byte eXchange - Herndon, VA (703) 471-8010 THIS FORM REQUIRES SIGNATURE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY RELEASE PLEASE READ BELOW ------------------------------------------------------------------ I wish to be IN TOUCH with (Please circle and/or comment) Family, Friends and/or Fellow Veterans of the following: __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ ----------- PERSON WHO DID NOT COME BACK FROM VIETNAM ------------ First Name_____________ Middle Name___________ Last Name__________ Relationship to You and/or Reason for Request (Answer as fully as possible)_____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ ================================================================== -------- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT HIM/HER - IF KNOWN --------- Rank_______ Birth Date ______________ Soc. Sec. # ________________ Tour Date of Birth _______________ Where Buried __________________ Branch of Service: AR__ NA__ AF__ MC__ CG__ RC__ CIV__ (Fill in his/her equivalent unit designations in the spaces below) Division ____________ Brigade ___________ Battalion ______________ Regiment ____________ Company ___________ Ship ___________________ Battles:__________________________________________________________ Locations:________________________________________________________ Nicknames:________________________________________________________ Hometown (while in Nam): ____________________ Home State: ________ ================================================================== ---------------------- INFORMATION ABOUT YOU --------------------- Title___ First Name ____________ Middle/Maiden Name _____________ Last Name ____________________ Address___________________________________________________________ City __________________________________ State ____ Zip: _____-____ Your Home Phone ( ) ____________ Work Phone: ( ) ____________ ---------------- IF YOU ARE A VIETNAM-ERA VETERAN ---------------- Tour date _______________________________ Rank __________________ Branch of Service: AR__ NA __ AF __ MC __ CG __ RC __ CIV __ Fill in your equivalent unit designations in the spaces below Division: __________ Brigade: ___________ Battalion: ___________ Regiment: __________ Company: ___________ Ship: ________________ Battles: _________________________________________________________ Locations: _______________________________________________________ Nicknames: _______________________________________________________ Hometown (when in VN) _______________________ Home State: ________ Comments: ________________________________________________________ NAM VET Newsletter Page 18 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT _____ I give permission to the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to release my name, address, phone number and relationship to other participants in the IN TOUCH project seeking information on the individual above (strike out phone number if you do not want it released). OR _____ I would like to have the names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons who knew my friend or relative, but prefer NOT to have my name, address, and phone number released. I hereby release the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from any and all liability that may arise from the operation of the IN TOUCH project. Signature ____________________________________ Date _____________ NOTE: Do not electronically transmit this form, instead mail to: Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial 1350 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Suite 300 Washington, DC 20036 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NAM VET Newsletter Page 19 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 It's Not Finished Yet By: Ed Henry From: Among Friends - a FVVM Publication In October (1989) I began a new endeavor with The Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. For the past year the organization has manned an assistance booth near the Memorial. Bob Evans, a founding member of VVA Chapter 227, has established himself at the booth and he's been doing an outstanding job of meeting the public, answering the myriad of questions surrounding the Wall - and the war. Bob and I have worked on many Vietnam-related projects so he asked me to come down to the Memorial grounds and help him out. For those of you who have the privilege of knowing Bob, and I know there are many out there, you know what kind of sensitive bearing he can bring to this solemn place. Bob will let you know right up front about how he feel about the Vietnam war and what it did to him and his brother and sister vets. He bears the scars of it on his face, and in his heart. He nearly died in the A Shau Valley when an NVA bullet ripped through his lower jaw. His story really begins after that horrendous incident, and he has shared it widely with high school and university audiences and he shares it now with the multitudes of visitors at the wall. He never preaches, he doesn't proselytize. He only answers when asked about the events that have shaped his live as a Vietnam veteran. He is especially good with the younger generation. Always patient, he expresses a special need to assist the families and loved ones of those who are now memorialized on the black facade. One particularly beautiful October day I was with Bob at the booth near the Lincoln Memorial and that day the crowds were fairly heavy. The site is near the TourMobile stop and it can be an interesting day spent just watching all the various nationalities and tourists go by. The kids come noisily with not much understanding of the events surrounding this monument. The foreigners approach it with an interested curiosity. The families of the men and women whose names are on the Wall approach it with great solemnity and silence. They also come with anger and bitterness harbored too long. They come with questions that have tugged at their lives since the day they got the news that someone was no longer in their lives. On this day, Bob and I were standing there talking about nothing in particular when three or four women strode abruptly up to our table and practically yelled "It isn't finished yet!" in our faces. Bob and I just looked at each other and then we looked at the women. They were about my mother's age, and I felt like a son who had just gone a bit too far with the amount of cookies he'd had that afternoon. Bob spoke first with the ever brilliant and diplomatic "May I help you?" I chimed in with something as equally brilliant: "Excuse me, but what did you say?" She said "It isn't finished yet. It's just not done. I don't like it. It needs something more - a flag or something. Just something to make it not look so plain. The names are just startling, and stark. What do you think about it? Do you agree with me?" After one great big pregnant pause I decided to break the ice with introductions all around. Her name was Marie Nissen and she and her friends were visiting from Waterloo, Iowa. She asked if NAM VET Newsletter Page 20 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 we were Vietnam veterans and we nodded our heads. We don't wear fatigues down there. We don't promote the fact that we are vets and that in and of itself has a calming effect on the public. Bob immediately dove right in with an explanation of the design of the Memorial; how Maya Lin wanted the names above anything else to be the focus of her design. Both of us talked at length about what the Memorial meant to us as vets, and what it means to other vets and the thousands of families who have been touched by the war. Mrs. Nissen's persistence continued. She probed and questioned us about this and that and how we felt about the war and its aftermath. We soon found ourselves embroiled in a 45 minute historical-psychological-political discussion that involved the geo-politics of twenty or thirty nations. In the end she said, "Yes. But it's not finished YET!" Bob and I laughed. The women from Waterloo laughed. It dawned on me that this provocation was taking on a profound magnitude. The lady from Waterloo taught me a lesson that day. While she and Bob talked, and I thought about it, her every word was correct in the concept. I finally said, "You're right. You're brilliant. In your one little statement you've summed up the whole of the situation. This Memorial isn't finished and may never be finished. The war isn't finished and that may never be finished, either. The aftermath isn't finished yet. We veterans of the war aren't finished yet in what we have to do with ourselves and the rest of the population that's been affected by the war. In summation, Mrs. Nissen, nothing was finished from this thing we called the Vietnam War and discussions about it may never get finished. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Nissen, because of your discussion, I'm off to write an article about all this unfinished business we have on our hands as Vietnam veterans. And when people tell me to go away as a Vietnam veteran and stop talking about the war and its aftermath, I'll mention your name and tell them that a woman from Iowa told me it wasn't finished yet!" Bob just nodded in agreement and embarrassment, being the saint that he is. I felt like giving Mrs. Nissen and her friends a big hug. I felt renewed and enlightened through this simple conversation with the visiting heartlanders. I thank you, Mrs. Nissen, for the lesson you taught me that day. My own process of daily insight isn't finished either. God bless you, Mrs. Nissen, and all the rest of your generation. We have so much to learn from people like you, if we would only take the time to listen - closely. As a Vietnam veteran, I have a long road ahead of me in trying to finish this thing. NAM VET Newsletter Page 21 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 ================================================================= S i l e n c e d W a r r i o r s ================================================================= "NATIVE SPIRITUAL CULTURE COUNCILS INC." P.O. BOX 466 GARDNER,MASSACHUSETTS 01440 Input by: Joyce Flory NAM VETs Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 NATIVE SPIRITUAL CULTURE COUNCILS is a group of Native American Indians in prison. We are the first group of this kind in any facility in Massachusetts State Prison System. We have united in order to teach of our Heritage, Customs and beliefs. To bring back the "Circle" as it should be. The Circle symbolizes Life, Unity, Equality and Eternity to our people in this type of environment. COUNCIL RINGS, SACRED HOOPS, and MEDICINE WHEELS, are all a part of the Great Circle of Life. We provide for spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well- being of the Native American Indians. To promote pride and self identity to Native People and Native Americans. Also to instill respect, love, care, concern and understanding for all that participate in the strength of Native Ways of Life. Provide the Sacred Pipe and Ceremonies to the people in the traditional manner teaching the sacred and ancient ways to those in search of true spirituality. Such as learning the Creators Laws, Natural Laws as a reality and for the accountability factor, on a regular basis. To bring Native peoples out of the demise and raise their spirituality, also to rejuvenate spirituality back into Native Cultures. The NATIVE SPIRITUAL CULTURE COUNCILS INC. is duly formed and organized under the Massachusetts State Law as a spiritual entity. We welcome all party's to help preserve our culture and beliefs, and ways of the Native American Indian. For more information please contact: Native Spiritual Culture Councils Inc. C/O Roy Gauthier (Chief Thunderson) P.O. Box 466 Gardner,Ma. 01440 OR COUNCIL MEMBERS Marcel Nadeau, Sub-Chief Bernie Bailey, Secretary Randall Trapp, Peace Keeper Andrew Mallory, Dog Soldier NAM VET Newsletter Page 22 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX \ \ \ \ \XXXX XXXXX XXXXX.::::::::::::::.XXXXX INCARCERATED XXXX XXXXX XXXXX --------- XXXXX \ \ \ \ \ \ \XXXX XXXXX .XXXXX W W I I XXXXX. VETERANS \ \XXXX XXXXX ::XXXXX --------- XXXXX::. \ \ \ \ XXXX XXXXX :::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::. 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XXXX XXXXX.::' :: XXXXX: PREPARED TO XXXXX .'' ''.. XXXX XXXXX::' :: XXXXX`: FIGHT XXXXX.' '.XXXX XXXXX' :: XXXXX ``. XXXXX XXXX XXXXX '' XXXXX PREPARED TO XXXXX XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX DIE ...'XXXXX XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX `...' XXXXX XXXX XXXXX `..' XXXXX .' XXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX /\ .' .' XXXX XXXXX /\ \ . . XXXX XXXXX / \ \...' `. .' XXXX XXXXX / NOT PREPARED TO BE DESERTED XXXX XXXXX / .'.' . .`.' XXXX XXXXX / ~ | : : : . XXXX XXXXX / |`. : : . .__________ XXXX XXXXX / ~ ~ ||.` ` : || \ / XXXX XXXXX / WRITE OR VISIT AN INCARCERATED VETERAN SOON ! XXXX XXXXX / ~ || . .'. / / XXXX XXXXX/ ~ ~ ~|| ||/ / XXXX XXXXX ~ ~ ~ || || / XXXX XXXXX || || / XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX \_________XXXXX________|| XgjpX XXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXX NAM VET Newsletter Page 23 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 VVA Pushes Incarcerated Bills A VVA STAFF REPORT Input by: Joyce Flory NAM VETs Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 April and May were two of the busiest legislative months in recent memory, at least as far as veterans affairs issues were concerned. In the space of just over 30 days, VVA testified on no less than seven different issues: incarcerated veterans, veteran's employment and training legislation, veteran's education, the VA home-loan guaranty program, veterans' disability-compensation legislation, and Agent Orange legislation. Perhaps the most important testimony offered by the organization came on April 24, when VVA national membership director Wayne Smith and VVA member John Woods (Woods is the national vice chairman of VVA's standing committee on incarcerated veterans) testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and Administrations of Justice. The VVA's comments were presented in support of House legislation that would offer "systematic assistance in addressing the legitimate needs of incarcerated veterans." The legislation, H.R.3453, was drafted by Rep. George Brown (D- CA.), with the help of the VVA. In giving testimony, Wayne Smith noted that his co-presenter before the committee was helped by the kind of program being advocated in Brown's legislation. Smith also noted that VVA member Emanuel Heard, a former incarcerated veteran who went on to pass his high-school equivalency exam and obtain a college degree and a masters degree, was also greatly aided by the programs that Brown advocates. "In offering the benefit of our experience with incarcerated veterans to Representative Brown's efforts, we have been painstakingly careful to prevent anything in this bill from being construed as 'soft on criminals,'" Smith told the committee. "Instead, this bill simply proposes to offer the counseling, treatment, and guidance that veterans in need of readjustment assistance ought to receive in order to be balanced, productive citizens." In other words, Brown's legislation would offer some of the same readjustment-assistance programs to incarcerated veterans that are now being offered to those who are not incarcerated." From a public-safety as well as a public-policy perspective, it must be understood that it makes far more sense to assist veterans prior to release from prison than it does to await release and take our chance," Smith noted. "An inmate veteran fully aware of VA- provided benefits and counseling programs, as well as employment programs for veterans operated by the Department of Labor, has to be said to be better prepared for release than an inmate veteran released without such preparation." The bill would require the federal prison system to provide the names of veteran inmates to the VA so that their compensation and benefit status can be reviewed - under law, part of the benefits due an incarcerated veteran can be given over to a spouse. A second part of Brown's bill would remedy the absence of a VA policy on psychological-readjustment counseling for incarcerated veterans by mandating that such counseling be provided. In addition, incarcerated veterans would be given VA medical NAM VET Newsletter Page 24 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 examinations to determine military service-related disabilities. The bill would also require the VA to develop a training curriculum for use by prison facilities and require that incarcerated veterans be given information on VA services and locations of their nearest vet center just prior to their release, and it would mandate that federal prisons pass information on to state and local prisons on incarcerated veterans, if so requested. "This is a balanced approach to providing needed services to incarcerated veterans," Smith told VETERAN. "I'm very proud of the work we've all done on this bill," Woods added. "This is generating a lot of interest in Congress. But we have to keep working to get it passed into law." COSPONSORS OF H.R.3453 THE INCARCERATED VETERANS REHABILITATION AND READJUSTMENT ACT OF 1989 VVA requests that VVA members write their representatives to urge support of H.R.3453. If your representative's name does not appear on this list, it should. H.R.3453 was introduced by Congressman George Brown (D-CA) on October 12,1989. Ackerman (NY) Hawkins (CA) Owens (NY) Atkins (MA) Hayes (IL) Pallone (NJ) Bonior (MI) Hughes (NJ) Panetta (CA) Boucher (VA) Jontz (IN) Pelosi (CA) Boxer (CA) Kaptur (OH) Poshard (IL) Bryant (TX) Kennelly (CT) Richardson (NM) Bustamante (TX) Kildee (MI) Roybal (CA) Carper (DE) Kolter (PA) Schroeder (CO) Clay (MO) Lancaster (NC) Slaughter (NY) Collins (IL) Long (IN) Torres (CA) Dellums (CA) Martinez (CA) Towns (NY) de Lugo (VI) McDermott (WA) Traficant (OH) Evans (IL) Morrison (CT) Volkmer (MO) Fauntroy (DC) Mrazek (NY) Weiss (NY) Frost (TX) Nagle (LA) Wolpe (MI) Gejdenson (CT) CORRECTIVE ACTION VVA legislative affairs director Paul S. Egan testified on April 25 on H.R.4087, which "would authorize local veterans employment service representatives (LVER) and disabled veteran outreach specialists (DVOP) to provide services to members of the armed forces who are preparing to leave the military." VVA's action on H.R.4087 was forward-looking, as Egan himself noted, a way of dealing with the expected demobilization of thousands of military personnel. "Making these DVOP and LVER services available is an important step but probably will be insufficient alone to prevent a glut of demand for work resulting from demobilization," Egan said. Egan also mentioned that VVA supports H.R.4087 because it extends by five years the statute of limitations on the Vietnam era, the effective date at which Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans are no longer eligible to receive benefits under the DVOP and LVER programs. VVA actually prefers that a statute of limitations be dropped altogether, though it now supports H.R.4087 as an interim solution. VVA also supports a recodification of the Department of Labor secretary's Committee on Veterans Employment, which Egan claims is "top-heavy" with NAM VET Newsletter Page 25 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 political appointees and therefore is ineffective in carrying out its mandate. Egan also testified before the House Veterans Subcommittee on Housing and Memorial Affairs, which provides oversight of the VA home-loan and guaranty program. Egan recommended that the VA take steps to cure defaults and avoid foreclosures in the program and to exempt first-time home buyers from current indemnification fees. Egan also recommended the subcommittee consider authorizing veterans to use "buyer's brokers." Egan said that VVA was concerned that the VA practices on debt collection rendered veterans "powerless" to defend themselves. "Real estate laws in the nation today are as varied as the 50 different states," Egan noted. "The complexity of these laws often, if not invariably, requires the expertise of competent attorneys in order to be properly protected by them. As it stands now, the full force of the VA and federal government is arrayed against the veteran when it comes to debt collection, while the veteran alleged to be in debt is limited to $10 in mounting a defense. How absurd! Any assistance this subcommittee can offer in correcting this situation will be most appreciated." GETTING THEIR DUE On May 18, VVA testified in favor of S.2556, a bill that would adequately compensate radiation-exposed veterans and their survivors. The organization strongly endorsed the bill and called for its immediate passage. The legislation would add two new diseases to the list of 13 for which compensation is available, and it would "remove altogether the period from date of discharge within which one or more of these diseases must appear in order to be eligible for compensation," VVA noted. In giving its endorsement to the bill, VVA stated that it marks an "important improvement" in the current manner of compensating radiation victims but noted that the bill is "more than a mere improvement; it is a farsighted initiative to accommodate radiation-exposed veterans based on the latest and still- accumulating scientific data on actual and potential hazards of radiation exposure." VVA used the opportunity afforded by the hearing to remind the committee that the steps taken to compensate radiation victims had yet to be fully given over to victims of maladies associated with the spraying of Agent Orange." We encourage you to take the same magnanimous steps on the issue of Agent Orange as you have on the issue of radiation exposure," VVA said. THE RTI STUDY-ONE YEAR AND SEVEN MONTHS LATER On November 7, 1988, the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) released "Executive Summary, Description of Findings and Technical Appendices of the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study" (NVVRS). The study, mandated by Congress, represents one of the best scientific reports on Vietnam veterans. While PTSD and war-related psychological problems provide areas of focus for study, RTI went further in order to provide a comprehensive report on total life adjustments of in-country veterans as opposed to Vietnam-era and non-veteran groups. While the goals and design of the study were ambitious, the way in which the information was obtained is a testament to the stamina of those chosen to be interviewed and the determination of the NAM VET Newsletter Page 26 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 organization for their conclusions. Begun in 1984, the study consisted of 3016 interviews of three to five hours in length. The study interviewed 1500 in-country veterans, 730 era veterans, and 650 civilians. Each person in the three categories was matched for age, sex, race, and ethnic background. The women were also matched by occupation. The best news for VVA members is that the study confirms a number of things the organization has been saying for some time. The RTI study also tells us something about Vietnam veterans and how they compare to non-veterans. In addition, the study shows that there's common ground between in-country and era veterans. In all, the study estimates that over 830,000 Vietnam veterans currently have war-related symptoms of PTSD. Current cases include 479,000 veterans with PTSD and 350,000 with "partial PTSD." Additionally, the scientific analysis of the total lifetime prevalence of PTSD found that a total of 30.6 percent of men and 26.9 percent of women who served in Vietnam had a full PTSD disorder at some time in the past. Within this number, half of the men and one-third of the women still suffer from PTSD at the present time. The information contained in the study supports the notion that PTSD is a long-term chronic disorder, rather than a short-term acute disorder. Not surprisingly, the study found that there is a " strong relationship between PTSD and other postwar adjustment problems." Within the PTSD group, the highest rates were among Hispanics (27 percent) and Afro-American (19 percent) as compared with caucasians (13.7 percent) and other veterans. The disparity among the experiences of each in the wartime environment of Vietnam. In spite of the fact that the study was intended to focus on the magnitude of PTSD, there was also a mandate to explore other problems that might be occurring in the readjustment of Vietnam veterans to civilian life. While 49.1 percent of in-country veterans met the criteria for having at least one major psychiatric diagnosis, alcohol abuse or dependence was the most frequently identified veteran malady. The rate of abuse or dependence was not as high, however, in Vietnam-era veterans. The closeness in frequency of psychiatric problems and alcohol and drug dependence strongly suggests that serving during the Vietnam era may well have been a risk factor for developing such disorders. In-country veterans also reported an array of other readjustment problems: 40 percent have been divorced at least once, 14 percent have increased levels of marital problems, 23 percent report problems raising their children, and 10 percent have been homeless or vagrant at one time or another. Violent acts and active expressions of hostility were reported by 46.8 percent of in- country veterans. Yet, in each case, the incidence of these problems was NOT significantly higher for Vietnam veterans. NAM VET Newsletter Page 27 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 ================================================================= N a m V e t ' s Q u i e t C o r n e r ================================================================= 12 Steps For a Vietnam Veteran Input by: Brad Meyers FOG-LINE BBS - Ankeny,IA (515) 964-7937 Step 1: We admitted that we were powerless over Vietnam and dysfunction in our past, that our lives had become unmanageable. Step 2: (We) came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Step 3: (We) Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of that Power, as we understood that Power. Step 4: (We) Made searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Step 5: (We) Admitted to our Higher Power, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Step 6: (We) Were entirely ready to have that Higher Power remove all these defects of Character. Step 7: (We) Humbly asked HP to remove our shortcomings. Step 8: (We) Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Step 9: (We) Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Step 10: (We) Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. Step 11: (We) Sought, through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with HP as we understood our Higher Power, praying only for knowledge of HPs will for us and the power to carry that out. Step 12: (We) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs. 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IIXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXpX The Vietnam Veteran XII IIXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX has relatives in the III IIIXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX Old and New Testaments III IIIXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX who also experienced loss II IIXXXXXXXXX XXX and grief, guilt and shame, II IIXXXXXXXXX XX rejection and betrayal, I IXXXXXXXXX alienation and estrangement, I IXXXX XX isolation and withdrawal. II IIXXXX II IIX Adam and Eve tried to hide from God; II II Moses, born Hebrew and raised Egyptian IIII IIII searched long and hard for his real self; II II Job, losing his children and all he owned, II II became sorely diseased; IIII III Biblical Joseph was rejected by his brothers, II II lied about and imprisoned; I Peter denied Jesus. II I "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" Matthew 28:20 NAM VET Newsletter Page 29 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 HELPING DISABLED VETS By: Don Sadler Mentone Beach RBBS - Mentone CA (714) 794-3031 We have an opportunity to really help the disabled Vets... in many cases, to help ourselves! There is an inequity in the law that we can change now! There is a bill in congress that needs our support. Read on... Disabled Veterans receiving a disability pension from the VA receive that pension in addition to whatever other income they may receive. For example, if you (a disabled Vet) worked for a department store, you would receive your disability pension plus your department store pay. If you were retired from a job, you would receive your retired pay plus the disability pension. So what's the problem? The problem is that a disabled vet who retires from the military and receives a disability pension from the VA has to give up an equal amount of their military retired pay. In other words, they don't really receive any disability pension! Service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice to our country should be able to receive compensation for their injuries above their military retired pay, just like their civilian counterparts. In many cases, their disabilities prevent them from getting appropriate work to supplement their diminished incomes. Here's what we can do to help.. There is a bill (HR303) in the House of Representatives that will fix this inequity. It is supported by the majority of congress but is having trouble getting out of committee so it can be voted on. We can write to congress to show our support and request their help in getting the bill to the floor for a vote. The addresses to write to are as follows: Chairman Sonny Montgomery House Committee of Veterans' Affairs 2184 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Chairman Beverly Byron Armed Services Subcommittee on Military personnel and Compensation 2430 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Please mention HR303 and urge them to help. Let's show what BBS power really is.. please write and help. Thank you. NAM VET Newsletter Page 30 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 ================================================================= B u t I t s O N L Y H e a t R a s h ! ================================================================= The Secret Agent A Guide for Study and Discussion Input by: G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 THE SECRET AGENT: 57 minutes, color, 16mm and videotape. Produced by Jacki Ochs and Daniel Keller. Directed by Jacki Ochs. Edited by Daniel Keller. Original score by Country Joe McDonald. Written by L. S. Block and John Crowley. Sound Editor: Margie Crimmins. Associate Producer: Charles Light. SYNOPSIS THE SECRET AGENT begins with a mystery: American veterans of the Viet Nam war, one after another, relate a startling series of physical problems that have beset them after their return from the war. Many veterans, it is clear, believe that something that happened to them in Viet Nam is responsible for these maladies, that range from a persistent skin rash, to paralysis, cancer, and birth defect among their children. The film then "flashes back" to Viet Nam. Scenes from that war quickly remind the viewer of the extraordinarily technological nature of the weapons used by the United States. The narrator explains that such potent new weapons can have unknown effects and consequences beyond the battlefield. The film begins to focus on one such class of weapons: chemicals. Film footage from the archives of the early 20th century reconstructs the history of chemicals in warfare and agriculture. The horrors of poison gas used in World War I led to the Geneva Protocol of 1925, which limited use of chemicals in war. But the United States did not sign the agreement, and research, as well as commercial use of these chemicals, grew rapidly. In the 1940's a herbicide, or weed killer, called 2,4,5-T was developed, and soon put into agricultural use. By the early 1960's, the role of the U.S. in the war in Viet Nam was widening. Faced with an enemy that could attack by night, then by day slip back into the civilian population, or into underground tunnel complexes, the U.S. turned to "technological tricks and gadgets" that would offset this enemy advantage. In 1962, the U.S. began Operation Ranch Hand - a massive aerial spray program which was to drench much of the countryside of Viet Nam with 2,4,5-T and other herbicides over a ten year period - to reduce the enemy's cover and destroy food supplies. To soldiers fighting the war, the nature of the chemicals and their possible consequences were unknown. As the war expanded, the use of herbicides increased. U.S. chemical companies began to experience health problems i workers handling 2,4,5-T, but this information was not passed on to government officials. Criticism of the spray program, by the Vietnamese and scientists from around the world, also began to grow. In 1969 the North Vietnamese released film footage documenting their charges that the herbicides were causing birth defects. NAM VET Newsletter Page 31 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Later that year, the U.S. revealed results of tests which showed that a little known chemical, dioxin, present in 2,4,5-T, caused birth defects, still births, and abortions in rats and mice. The following year, the Pentagon cancelled the spray operation. Some 12 million gallons of Agent Orange, a chemical blend of 2,4,5-T and its sister herbicide 2,4-D, had been dumped on Viet Nam. Years later, the birth defect issue took on new importance. Hundreds of veterans, touched by the tragedy of severely deformed children, began to connect these defects to Viet Nam, and they blamed Agent Orange. Meanwhile, the chemical companies and their advocates argued for the continued use of 2,4,5-T. They acknowledged the dangers of dioxin, but said that quantities of the toxin were so small in 2,4,5-T, that the herbicide could be used safely. In 1978, a veteran named Paul Reutershan, who was dying of intestinal cancer, filed suit against the chemical companies which produced Agent Orange. He claimed that his cancer was caused by exposure to the herbicide. Soon thousands of other veterans had joined the suit. Veterans also appealed to the Veterans Administration for help, and treatment. But the VA staunchly refused to admit that the chemicals were at the root of the veterans' ailments. The histories of veterans who have found themselves trapped in this position illustrate the frustration that can develop from not knowing their own fate, and not being believed. By the 1970's, the hazards of dioxin had become more widely known. An industrial accident in Seveso, Italy, and the contamination of a riding arena in Missouri, spread death and sickness across wide areas, and made "dioxin" a household word. As THE SECRET AGENT ends, much of the secrecy and mystery surrounding these chemicals has been dispelled, but the controversy has intensified. A chemical company representative argues that 2,4,5-T is safe and needed, while the wife of a Viet Nam veteran, and mother of a severely deformed child, argues that corporate America, for the love of the dollar, has sacrificed her daughter. BACKGROUND INFORMATION VIET NAM Viet Nam is a Southeast Asian country about the size of New Mexico. What Americans call "the Viet Nam war," also known as the Second Indochina War, had its roots in events at the end of World War II. At that time President Roosevelt expressed a desire to see Viet Nam fall under international mandate, rather than revert back to French colonial rule. The French were not convinced. In August, 1945, Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese leader, declared independence for Viet Nam and sent several requests to the U.S. and other countries asking that Viet Nam be accorded "the same status as the Philippines for a period of tutelage, pending independence." His pleas were ignored. After the fall of mainland China to the communists in 1950, the Truman administration moved to provide military aid to the French against the growing forces of Ho Chi Minh. The French army found its armor useless and its troops out of their element in tropical jungle warfare. As they were facing their final defeat in 1954, the U.S. began to take charge of the war. By 1954 to [the] United States was spending $1.1 billion a year on the French war effort, 78% of the total. NAM VET Newsletter Page 32 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 The "official" American war in Viet Nam began in 1962, when President John Kennedy ordered 10,000 American troops into combat. The intensity of this effort grew for six years. Herbicides expended peaked in 1967. Americans killed peaked in 1968. Total American forces committed peaked in 1969 at 539,000. In all over 50,000 Americans were killed. Some 1.5 million Vietnamese were killed. AGENT ORANGE In 1890 Henry Herbert Dow got his start in the chemical industry by extracting bromine and chlorine from the brine which lay under much of Michigan. In 1918 he obtained a patent for phenol, and by 1930 the Dow Chemical Company was operating the largest phenol plant in the world. The marriage of the basic products chlorine and phenol soon produced the chlorophenols, which were sold by Dow in the early 1930's as preservatives - fungus killers - for wood. In 1941 a Chicago scientist developing chemical weapons suggested the use of certain chlorophenols, called 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, as herbicides to kill enemy crops. The chemicals were not used during World War II, but after the war they were introduced to the commercial market as weed and brush killers. The use of chemicals on forests, range land, crop land, power lines, and lawns grew rapidly through the coming two decades. The large chemical companies added these herbicides to their inventories, in various formulations and under various trade names. When the Department of Defense became interested in the products during the early escalation of the Viet Nam war, a 50-50 blend of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T was given the code name Agent Orange. DIOXIN In 1889, in Germany, a doctor used the word "chloracne" to describe a severe form of acne observed in workers i plants that produced chlorine. In 1936 the affliction was discovered in more than 300 workers at a lumber mill who were treating wood with Dowicides. As the production of chlorine and chlorophenols grew, so did the number of chloracne cases. Furthermore, the symptoms went far beyond the skin rash. Doctors could not detect the source of these problems, but they noted that symptoms included kidney damage, liver damage, nervous system disorders, and even death. In 1957, German scientists solved the riddle. They discovered that a chemical called 2,3,7,8-TCDD, a member of the dioxin family, is the cause of chloracne. They also found that this dioxin is always present in certain chlorophenols. It is an unwanted contaminant in, among others, 2,4,5-T. Chemical companies took measures to protect their employees from exposure to dioxin, but gave no warnings to consumers or commercial users of the brush killers. As production of 2,4,5-T mushroomed to meet the growing needs of the war in Viet Nam, so did the number of accidents exposing workers to TCDD. Dow and Monsanto both saw major outbreaks of chloracne among their workers in the early 1960's, as did several foreign manufacturers. In 1967 American scientists showed the effects of TCDD are cumulative over time, and that the effects can include damage to the blood and bone marrow. In 1970, TCDD was proven to deform chick fetuses. In 1972, TCDD was shown to be the most powerful teratogen, or deforming agent, known in mice. In 1975, TCDD was NAM VET Newsletter Page 33 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 found in the fatty tissue of western U.S. beef, and in mothers milk in Texas. THE VIET NAM WAR The name still evokes controversy, and has widely different messages for different Americans. The war sparked fiery arguments while it was being fought, but when it ended, discussion of this divisive period of American history fell silent. Today, as time gradually provides perspective on these events, Americans are beginning to grapple with the facts of our longest and most expensive war. THE SECRET AGENT raises questions about the Agent Orange program, one of the war's most controversial aspects. What kind of war was Viet Nam, and why did it spawn such techniques as Operation Ranch Hand? What were the results of the spray program, planned or unexpected, that might shape the future use of chemicals in war? How could a nation as mighty as the U.S. fail to win? TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN VALUES Herbicides have been used in war and peace for decades. In the case of 2,4,5-T and its contaminant dioxin, who knew about the dangers of the herbicide, and when; who should have known, and when? Is this chemical safe, and who should ultimately decide such a question? How should we guard against the birth of a new "Agent Orange" or the creation of another Times Beach, Missouri? In the case of dioxin, we have a chemical that is so powerful that dangerous levels can often barely be detected. Who is responsible for detecting such poisons, or developing the complicated detection systems? Do we need to know more about toxic substances? What should be the fate of chemicals whose safety is still in question? Advocates of 2,4,5-T and others often claim that the risks of using the chemical are outweighed by the benefits of the chemical. This method of value assessment is called risk-benefit analysis. Is this a fair method of assessing 2,4,5-T? What might some other methods be? How can cancer deaths that may appear 20 years from now be weighed against short term gains? The Geneva Protocol of 1925 outlawed the use of "asphyxiating, poisonous, and other gases." The U.S. did not ratify the agreement then, but did sign the accords under President Nixon. The Nixon administration claimed, though, that the Protocol did not apply to tear gas and herbicides, and that their use in Viet Nam was legal. What is chemical warfare? What is the U.S. position on chemical warfare today? Does the use of herbicides constitute chemical warfare, and should these chemicals be a part of a world wide chemical weapons ban? THE VETERANS OF VIET NAM There are approximately 2.5 million American veterans of combat in Viet Nam. For many of these soldiers the return home was not a happy one, and life since has not been the same. The prospect of future health problems stemming from exposure to toxic chemicals many years earlier can produce stress and frustration. In many cases traditional sources of comfort and assistance have failed. Communities and even families often failed in their duty to embrace these soldiers as they returned. The V.A., charged with health care of all veterans, has compensated only a handful (less NAM VET Newsletter Page 34 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 than five) veterans for chloracne, and none for any other Agent Orange related health problem. Years after the war, the V.A. has recognized post-traumatic stress disorder as a bonafide affliction stemming from the Viet Nam experience. Psychiatrists speculate that the disorder results from the extremely stressful nature of the war - fighting an unseen enemy, not being able to distinguish the enemy from the friendly population, the immensity of firepower and technology at the Americans' disposal, and the return home without assistance to a hostile environment. The veterans' lawsuit against the chemical companies endured a six-year pre-trial discovery period and was settled on May 7, 1984 before it went to trial. The chemical companies agreed to pay $180 million to a fund to aid the veterans with health problems. Some veterans are dissatisfied with this settlement. The chemical companies made no admission of culpability. The sum seems small to veterans faced with large health care bills, and much of the total will be paid to lawyers and administrators. Some of the veterans dissatisfied with the settlement plan to have their wives and children sue the U.S. government. But a prior claim by veterans themselves against the government has been turned down by the U.S. Supreme Court, which cited the principle that a soldier cannot sue the government. Generally under U.S. law, as established by the Supreme Court in Feres vs. U.S., soldiers cannot sue the government or their commanders for injuries received during wartime. Who should be responsible for injuries stemming from mistakes or negligence on the part of commanders? Are these responsibilities more serious when the injuries are more severe or long term, or involve future generations? What is the V.A.'s responsibility to veterans with Agent Orange complaints? Has the V.A. ignored the Agent Orange issue, and, if so, why? Americans are said to have turned their backs on veterans of Viet Nam. How can citizens help insure justice for these veterans? RESOURCES LITERATURE Buaghman, Robert W. TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXINS IN THE ENVIRONMENT: HIGH RESOLUTION MASS SPECTROMETRY AT THE PICOGRAM LEVEL. Thesis to Department of Chemistry, Harvard University. December, 1974. Browning, Frank and Forman, Dorothy. THE WASTED NATIONS. Harper Colophon, New York. 1972. Buckingham, William A. Jr. THE AIRFORCE AND HERBICIDES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, 1966-1971. Office of Air Force History, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. 1982. Carson, Rachael. SILENT SPRING. Houghton Mifflin, N.Y. 1962. Epstein, Samuel. THE POLITICS OF CANCER. Cancer Control Society. Fitzgerald, Francis. THE FIRE IN THE LAKE. Little and Co. 1972. Gelb, Leslie, and Betts, Richard. THE IRONY OF VIET NAM: THE SYSTEM WORKED. Brookings, 1979. Hay, Alastair. THE CHEMICAL SCYTHE, LESSONS OF 2,4,5-T AND DIOXIN. Plenum Press, New York, 1982. Herring, George. AMERICA'S LONGEST WAR. Wiley, 1979. Lewallen, John. ECOLOGY OF DEVASTATION: INDOCHINA. Penguin Books. Maryland, 1971. Lindecker, Clifford, with Michael and Maureen Ryan. KERRY - AGENT ORANGE AND AN AMERICAN FAMILY. Dell. New York 1982. NAM VET Newsletter Page 35 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 McCarthy, Hon. Richard D. THE ULTIMATE FOLLY. Alfred A. Knopf. New York, 1969. Neilands, J.B., Orians, G. H., Pfeiffer, E.W., Vennema, Alje, Westing, Arthur H. HARVEST OF DEATH. Macmillan. New York, 1972. Rose, Stephen, ed. CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WARFARE. Beacon Press. Boston, 1968. Santoli, A. EVERYTHING WE HAD. Random House. N.Y. 1981. United Nations Press. CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL WEAPONS AND THE EFFECT OF THEIR POSSIBLE USE. United Nations. New York. 1969. United States Senate. THE GENEVA PROTOCOL OF 1925. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, 1972. United States Veterans Administration. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON HERBICIDES, INCLUDING PHENOXY HERBICIDES AND ASSOCIATED DIOXINS. Washington, 1980. Vien, Nguyen Khac. U.S. CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WARFARE. Vietnamese Studies #29. Hanoi. 1969. Vietnam Courier. U.S. CHEMICAL WARFARE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. Hanoi, Vietnam, 1980. Vietnam Courier. HERBICIDES AND DEFOLIANTS IN WAR. Hanoi. 1983. Weir, David, and Shapir, Mark. CIRCLE OF POISON. Institute for Food and Development Policy. San Francisco. 1981. Westing, Arthur, H. ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE SECOND INDOCHINA WAR. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Stockholm, 1976. Westing, Arthur H. WARFARE IN A FRAGILE WORLD. Stockholm International Peace and Research Institute. Stockholm, Taylor and Francis. London, 1980. Whiteside, Thomas. THE PENDULUM AND THE TOXIC CLOUD. Yale University Press. New Haven, 1979. Whiteside, Thomas. THE WITHERING RAIN, AMERICA'S HERBICIDAL FOLLY. E. P. Dutton. New York, 1971. Wilcox, Fred. WAITING FOR AN ARMY TO DIE. Vintage Press. New York. 1982. ORGANIZATIONS In addition to the organizations listed below, there are many groups and institutions with resources and information on veteran, environmental and peace issues. Many of the states have their own Agent Orange Commissions, usually located in the state capitals. Information is also available through the Veterans Administration and regional chapters of organizations such as Friends of the Earth, Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Greenpeace, the American Legion, and others. Chem-Safe, 10239 Prince Place, Suite 303, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Citizen Soldier, 175 5th Ave. New York, N.Y. 10010 (212)774-3470. Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Wasted, P.O. Box 926, Arlington, VA 22216 (703) 276-7070 National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides, 530 7th Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003 (202) 543-4312 Northwest Coalition Against Pesticides, PO Box 375 Eugene OR 97440 Veterans Education Center, PO Box 42130 Washington, DC 20003 Vietnam Veterans Against the War, PO Box 25592, Chicago, IL 60625 NAM VET Newsletter Page 36 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Vietnam Veterans of America, 2001 "S" Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. (203) 332-2700. Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Victims, Inc. 93 Prospect St. Stamford, CT 06902. (203) 323-7478. For rental or sale information about THE SECRET AGENT, contact Green Mountain Post Films. Additional copies of this study guide are available from GMP for 60-cents per copy, postpaid. A transcript is available for $2.00 postpaid. Green Mountain Post Films Box 229, Turners Falls, MA 01376 413-863-4754 NAM VET Newsletter Page 37 Volume 4, Number 9 September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xxx _ -. . - .-. - . . . . - XXXXXxxXXXXXXXXXXXx -. - .- . - . . XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-. .--. - .- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -.- - -.- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -. -. -. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx .g -. -. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX .- j. .- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . p .-. XXXXXXXX ]XXXXXXXXX ]XXXXXXXX .- - -. XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX -.- - -- XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX -- - XXXXXXXXX X'`XXX XXXXXXX Y Y XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX XXXXXXX X X XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXX XXXXXX XXX XX X XXX XX XX XXXX XX XXX XX XX XX XXXX XXX]XXXXXXXXXXXX XXX[ XX XX XXX XXXXXXXXXX " I t ' s o n l y t e e n a g e a c n e ! " -Robert Nimmo- NAM VET Newsletter Page 38 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 ================================================================= S a n d F l e a s n ' C a m e l s ================================================================= "War would be dismal deja vu for veterans" From 8/26/90 El Paso Times By: Laura Palmer Input by: Joyce Flory NAM VETs Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 When the phone rings at the Vietnam Veterans Outreach Center in the Bronx, N.Y. these days, the reason is frequently the crisis in the Middle East. " A lot of vets think this Persian Gulf situation is Vietnam repeating itself, and if it's not closely monitored will turn into another Vietnam," says Walter Sampson, a therapist at the veterans' center. "Many vets with sons are divided," says Sampson, who was an Army medic in Vietnam 22 years ago. " Some think that under no circumstance will they let their sons go, and the other group thinks it's up to their sons to make their own decisions, but that it's their role to warn them about what they'll get into." Many of the calls coming in are from wives of Vietnam veterans. "I didn't get this from Lebanon, Panama or Granada," Sampson says. "Something is brewing and what it is, we really don't know. Some wives ask me," If war breaks out, what will my husband do?'" "The crisis is having a great impact on people who have post- traumatic stress disorder. For someone with the disorder, this crisis could be somewhat of a breaking point. That's why the wives are calling me. They say he never paid attention to the news before. "Where is this leading? Am I going to be living with the monster (of post-traumatic stress disorder) again?' That's their question," Sampson says. "At this point, I can't answer that. PTSD can continue for a number of years and then it takes an incident for one to decompensate, get worse." Most of the wives who are calling are married to men who have never had counseling." I've encouraged everyone I've spoken with to try and get their husbands to come in with them and talk about it - just for one or two sessions - because there are a lot of thoughts going on in their heads." If U.S. troops start being killed in the Middle East, and television is suddenly filled with images of body bags, Sampson thinks many veterans will reexperience their own war trauma. "That's when I think the numbers will really increase at vet centers,"he says quietly. Sampson's interviews with the young soldiers create in him an instant sense of deja vu. "It seems they're saying word for word what we said: 'I'm going for my country. We have to stop the madman.' ... I even heard someone say we want to stop the spread of communism. That's not even an issue in this one. They're kids, just like we were. When I hear that, though, I do get my flashbacks." Flashbacks in the Bronx. Nightmares in Westport, Conn., an affluent Manhattan suburb. Dee Lippman was an Army nurse in 1967-1968 who cared for NAM VET Newsletter Page 39 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 soldiers so seriously wounded in Vietnam that they had to be flown to the Field Hospital in Japan for treatment. Lippman is a professor of nursing at Fairfield University and the mother of three sons, 21, 18, and 16 years old. "I've had nightmares about it, dreaming that my kids' names are on the wall (of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington)," Lippman, a psychiatric nurse, says. "I dream about being back in the hospital and taking care of soldiers, but the soldiers are my kids and their friends, like the ones in my house right now, hanging out before they go back to school. "It's 20 years later and I'm working with Vietnam vets who are disabled, and I look at these young kids and it's like they're going to be sacrificed and this just can't happen again. I have such pain and torment. It just breaks my heart." NAM VET Newsletter Page 40 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Supporting Our Saudi Troops By: Joyce Flory NAM VETs Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 I was able to get a couple of addresses on how to contact the men and women currently serving in Saudi Arabia. Maybe some of you might want to drop them a line or two. This first address is a chocolate manufacturer that wants to send samplers for each and every serviceperson over there. They would like personal messages to be included in the samplers. They have an agreement with the services to use refrigerated trucks, etc. to insure the chocolates don't melt. Whitman Chocolates Treats for Troops P.O.Box 6070 Philadelphia,Penn. 19114 These next addresses were published in the current (10-1-90) issue of PEOPLE magazine. Any Service Member Operation Desert Shield APO N.Y.,N.Y. 09848-0006 (for desert troops) Any Service Member Operation Desert Shield FPO N.Y,N.Y. 09866-0006 (for troops on ships) Let's show the fine men and women serving in a far away place that we support them and their efforts. Thanks, Joyce NAM VET Newsletter Page 41 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 "U.S. should retaliate quickly if Iraqis use poison gas" By Fred Reed, El Paso, NM Sunday Times 8/26/90) Input by: Joyce Flory NAM VETs Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 Some random thoughts on events in the Middle East: There is great concern that the Iraqis may use poison gas against our troops. The only statement I have heard is that the United States will not retaliate with chemical weapons. It may have been made for public relations purposes. I think it would be morally indefensible to let our guys get gassed while the Iraqis were safe because we declined to use chemical weapons. Some things you can ask of soldiers, and some things you can't. One might ask how long our men would be willing to suffer gas casualties before deciding that a country that has allowed them to be attacked this way isn't worth fighting for. In the past - as in the bombing of the Marines in Beirut, Lebanon, we have let the political enthusiasms of the National Security Council take precedence over the safety of our men. Let's not do it this time. Perhaps the best way to prevent the use of gas is to threaten to use it ourselves. Are we technically prepared to do so? The Army and Air Force quite properly aren't saying anything about operational considerations. I suspect the Air Force can do reasonably well at eliminating Iraq's long-range delivery systems. The Air Force can assuredly drop a lot of the stuff where the Iraqis don't want it. The big question is: Do we have adequate supplies of gas to deploy ? Nasty stuff. But our choice may be to gas and be gassed, or just to be gassed. People who argue we need a credible capacity to use gas have said that we chiefly needed gas as a deterrent to others who have it. On another subject, I met a Vietnam veteran recently who was taking signatures on a petition to get our guys out of Saudi Arabia. He said that if they stay there, we will have ourselves another Vietnam. At this point it isn't clear what President Bush has in mind to do to the Iraqis: starve them, recapture Kuwait, capture Bagdad, punish Iraq from the air until it capitulates, or something else. People in the Pentagon agree that we do not want to try to occupy any substantial part of Iraq for any length of time. If it comes to actual fighting, our prospects are in important respects better than Vietnam. No one seems to doubt that we will win quickly in the air. On the ground things would be more difficult, but to the extent that the Iraqis concentrated their forces to resist an attack, they would be playing by our rules. Conceivably, we could get into a war before having enough forces in place, take a lot of casualties, get discouraged and come home. We might capture Kuwait and then have to decide what to do with it. But we certainly don't have to get involved in a guerrilla war." NAM VET Newsletter Page 42 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Free Fax to Saudi Soldiers! Input by: Vito Milito Trailblazer BBS - Patterson, NJ (201) 742-1860 From: AT&T Newsbriefs and AT&T Today AT&T ANNOUNCES Friday, September 21, 1990 -- 11 a.m., EDT AT&T ANNOUNCES *** AT&T announced that its free fax service enabling family and friends to send messages to American military personnel serving in the middle east has begun carrying greetings. The DESERT FAX service became available from AT&T Phone Centers this morning. Designed as a morale-booster for the troops in operation Desert Shield, the one-way service allows a loved one in the U.S. to send a single-page greeting from any of 400 AT&T Phone Centers nationwide. The addresses of AT&T Phone Centers can be obtained by calling 1-800-555-8111, ext. 36, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. MAIL CALL!!! MAIL CALL -- [Joan Lunden, co-host]: What could be better than a letter from home if you're one of the one hundred and forty thousand U.S. servicemen and women stationed in the Persian Gulf? AT&T is making free faxing available now to friends and family members of American military personnel over in the Persian Gulf. [Rob Dalziel, AT&T vp, ICS]: Our target is to put the fax message in the hands of the serviceman or woman in 48 hours. We've had terrific response. I just talked to Saudi Arabia and they told me that we had another 3,500-message day. One of the people in the Phone Center stores told me that there wasn't a dry eye in the place. [ABC, Good Morning America, 9/25/90] *** To use AT&T Desert Fax, you write the soldier's name, rank, Social Security number and unit or ship on a preprinted form. There's room left for a half-page note. The letter is zapped to 1 of 25 fax machines in Saudi Arabia and delivered. [Bus. Week, 10/1/90] *** [Reporter]: Your letter turns into rays of light which cross through tiny strands of glass across the world to spread joy where it's needed a lot. [WNJS-TV, PBS, Philadelphia, 9/21/90] NAM VET Newsletter Page 43 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 ================================================================= W e C A N D o S o m e t h i n g ! ================================================================= "Angry about flag abuse? Don't let con artists abuse you" By David Crowder El Paso Times editorial page editor (8/26/90) Input by: Joyce Flory NAM VETs Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 Have you ever wondered about that television advertisement that airs late at night showing a U.S. flag being burned while a voice asks viewers who object to the practice to call (900) 740-4800. For the $5 cost of the call, the ad promises, 435 House members, 100 senators and the office of the president will be notified of your opposition. Did you ever ask yourself if it was just a scam or if someone actually goes to the trouble of compiling the names of the callers and send them off? Well, I used to get thrown out of class for asking too many questions about history and civics and what God really said. So, of course, this ad piqued my curiosity. It also jabbed my skepticism when I considered how much easy money someone could make cashing in on people's political emotions. Show them a burning flag, give them a 900-number to call, sit back and get rich. I was inspired to act by a letter from some poor soul in New Mexico urging readers to call that number and, by God, stop all the flag burning. Ask yourselves, folks, how many flags have you actually seen burned ? I can't say I've ever been within 500 miles of a burning flag. In fact, the only domestic incident I can remember is the one in THAT ad. Well, I made that $5 call last Wednesday. I got an answering machine allegedly run by "Speak Out America" that told me to leave my name and address after the beep, and it would be sent out, as promised on TV, to senators, congressmen, and the president. I left a message asking someone to call me and explain. No one has. Was I surprised! Disappointed too. I called AT&T about it, and an operator in Dallas told me I would have to write to Dial-it 900 service, P.O. Box 1143, Bedminster, New Jersey, 07921, and someone there would get around to telling me who and where "Speak Out America" is. Throw me out of class, but that's not good enough. Ron Coleman, being Democratic House member from El Paso, should have heard from these people, especially since he voted AGAINST the proposition of a Constitutional Amendment to protect the flag. Right? All of you who think Coleman's office heard from "Speak Out America," wiggle your little finger. You lose. "We haven't heard from them yet," Paul Rogers, Coleman's administrative aide said. " That's got to be a scam." Rogers also checked the office of House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo. Nothing. And with the Democratic National Campaign Committee. Nope, nothing. NAM VET Newsletter Page 44 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Rogers did say that, while Coleman's office had received no bulk mailings or lists of names on the subject, the personally written mail run more than four-to-one against such an amendment. What about U.S. Rep. Joe Skeen, R-N.M.? "Never heard of them," said Skeen's press secretary, Sherry Kiesling. She said Skeen's office has received 324 letters on the subject, 243 of which favored an amendment. But, she also added that the tide this year has turned and that the majority of letters is now against tinkering with the constitution to save the flag. So, to my letter writer from New Mexico, I must say you've been had. But at least you've been had the AMERICAN WAY. This is to say gypped, conned and just plain slicked. Probably you also got yourself on several right-wing mailing lists, but at least no armed squad has come to collect you in the night for expressing your views. If you really don't like flag burning, or unbalanced budgets or defense spending or even Saddam Hussein, Rogers and Kiesling suggest you save $4.75 and write a real letter. In Washington, they don't pay much attention to lists of names - even when they get them. But a signed personal letter stands a good chance of getting read. NAM VET Newsletter Page 45 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 ================================================================= N o t - S o - S e c r e t S e r v i c e I n f o ================================================================= COMMON REENLISTMENT CODES ARMY RE CODES RE-1 Fully qualified for immediate reenlistment RE-1A Fully qualified for immediate reenlistment; ineligible to reenlist for 93 days after date of separation RE-2 Fully qualified for immediate reenlistment; separated for convenience of the government under a separation which does not contemplate immediate reenlistment (see AR 632-200 Chapter 5,6,8,9,11 and 12) RE-3 Not eligible for reenlistment unless a waiver is granted RE-3A Not eligible for reenlistment unless a waiver is granted. Waiver, if approved, is valid only for the purpose of providing continuous, unbroken service for RA in-service personnel RE-3B Not eligible for reenlistment unless a waiver is granted. Applicable to EM who have lost time during their last period of service RE-3C Not eligible for reenlistment unless a waiver is granted. Applicable to persons who have completed over 8 months service who do not meet the prior grade and service criterion of the Qualitative Management Program (see AR 600-200 Chapter 4) RE-4 Not eligible for reenlistment. Disqualification is nonwaivable RE-4A Not eligible for reenlistment. Applicable to EM who fail to meet citizenship requirements NAVY AND MARINE RE CODES RE-1 Recommended for reenlistment RE-2 Recommended for reenlistment but ineligible because of status: Fleet Reservist Retired (except for transfer to TDRL), Commissioner Officer, Warrant Officer, Midshipman, Cadet RE-3 Recommended for reenlistment except for disqualifying factor RE-3A Alien RE-3B Parenthood RE-3B Pregnancy RE-3C Conscientious Objector RE-3D Demonstrated dependency or hardship not meeting criteria specified in Bupersman article C-10308 RE-3E Erroneous induction RE-3F Erroneous enlistment RE-3G Condition (not physical disability) interfering with performance of duty RE-3H Hardship RE-3K Disenrolled from Naval Academy, not considered qualified for enlisted status RE-3M Marriage RE-3N Importance to national health, safety or interest RE-3P Physical disability (includes discharge and transfer to TDRL) NAM VET Newsletter Page 46 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 RE-3P Obesity RE-3P Motion sickness RE-3P Disqualified for officer candidate training RE-3S Sole surviving son RE-3T Overweight RE-3U Minority RE-4 Not recommended for reenlistment AIR FORCE RE CODES The following are codes recommended for reenlistment: RE-1; RE- 12; RE-13; RE-14; RE-3/93. All other codes are ineligible. NAM VET Newsletter Page 47 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 SPN CODES (ALL SERVICES) Over the years some of these codes and/or their meanings were changed 21L Enlisted personnel - separation for good and sufficient reason when determined by Secretarial authority 21T Enlisted personnel - release of REP 63 trainees due to emergency conditions (does not apply to active duty) 21U Separation for failure to demonstrate adequate potential for promotion 28B Unfitness, frequent involvement in incidences of a discreditable nature with the military or civilian authorities. 28E Financial irresponsibility 28F Established pattern for showing dishonorable failure to pay just debts 28G Established pattern for showing dishonorable failure to contribute adequate support to dependents or failure to comply with orders, decrees, or judgments of a civil court about support of dependents 28I Unsanitary habits 38A Desertion, trial deemed inadvisable (World War II). Rescinded 38B Desertion, trial deemed inadvisable (Peacetime desertion). Rescinded 38C Desertion, trial deemed inadvisable (Korean War). Rescinded 41A Apathy 41B Obesity 41C To accept a teaching position 41D Discharge of enlisted personnel on unspecified enlistment who completed 20 years active federal service, do not submit application for retirement: Commander determines discharge will be in best interests of Government 46A Unsuitability, apathy, defective attitudes, and inability to expend effort constructively 46B Sexual deviate 46C Apathy, obesity 46D Sexual deviate 70A Mandatory retirement - 35 years' service/5 years in grade. Regular Army major general 70B Mandatory retirement - age 62, Regular Army major general 70C Mandatory retirement - age 60, Regular Army major general whose retirement has been deferred 70D Mandatory retirement - age 64, Regular Army major general whose retirement has been deferred and each permanent professor and the Registrar of the U.S. Military Academy 70E Mandatory retirement - 30 years' service/5 years in grade, Regular Army brigadier general 70F Mandatory retirement - 30 years' service/5 years in grade, Regular colonels 70G Mandatory retirement - 28 years' service/Regular lieutenant colonels 70J Mandatory retirement - age 60, regular commissioned officers below major general 70K Mandatory retirement - more than 30 years' active service, professors U.S. Military Academy 70L Mandatory retirement - 30 years' or more active service, Regular warrant officers 70M Mandatory retirement - age 62, Regular warrant officers NAM VET Newsletter Page 48 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 77E Mandatory retirement - surplus in grade after 30 years' service, removal from active list (Regular Army) 77J Voluntary retirement - placement on retired list at age 60 77M Mandatory retirement - permanent retirement by reason of physical disability 77N Mandatory retirement - placed on Temporary Disability Retired List 77P Voluntary retirement - in lief of or as a result of elimination board proceedings. Regular Army and Reserve commissioned officers and warrant officers 77Q Mandatory retirement - Temporary Disability Retirement in lieu of or as a result of elimination proceedings 77R Mandatory retirement - permanent disability retirement in lieu of or as a result of elimination proceedings 77S Voluntary retirement - Regular Army and Reserve commissioner officer 77T Voluntary retirement - Regular Army commissioned officers with 30 or more years of service 77U Voluntary retirement - Regular Army commissioned officers with 30 or more years of service 77V Voluntary retirement - enlisted personnel, voluntarily retired as a commissioned officer 77W Voluntary retirement - enlisted personnel, voluntarily retired as a warrant officer 77X Voluntary retirement - warrant officer voluntarily retired as a commissioned officer 77Y Mandatory retirement - retirement of Director of Music, USMA, as the President may direct 77Z Mandatory retirement - Regular Army commissioned officers with WWI service 78A Mandatory retirement - formerly retired other than for disability, who while on active duty incurred a disability of at least 30% 78B Mandatory retirement - formerly retired for disability, who while on active duty suffered aggravation of disability for which individual was formerly retired 79A Voluntary REFRAD - as USAR warrant officer (aviator) to accept USAR commission (aviation) with concurrent active duty 79B Resignation - as RA WO (aviator) to accept USAR commission (aviator) with concurrent active duty 201 Expiration of term of service (ETS) 202 Expiration of term of enlistment 203 Expiration of term of active obligated enlistment 205 Released from active duty; transferred to reserves 210 Separation for failure to demonstrate adequate potential for promotion 212 Honorable wartime service subsequent to desertion 213 Discharge for retirement as officer 214 To accept commission as officer in the Army, or to accept recall to active duty as Army Reserve 215 To accept appointment as Warrant Officer in the Army, or to accept recall to active duty as Army Reserve Warrant Officer 217 To accept commission in the Armed Forces of the United States (except Army) 219 Erroneous induction 220 Marriage, female only 221 Pregnancy 222 Parenthood 225 Minority/under age NAM VET Newsletter Page 49 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 226 Dependency 227 Hardship 229 Sole surviving son and surviving family members 230 Retirement after 20, but less than 30, years active Federal Service 231 Retirement after 30 years active Federal Service 238 Service retired in lieu of other administrative action 240 Unconditional resignation of enlisted personnel on unspecified enlistment 241 Resignation of enlisted personnel on unspecified enlistment in lieu of reduction for misconduct or inefficiency 242 Resignation of enlisted personnel on unspecified enlistment for good of service 243 Resignation of enlisted personnel on unspecified enlistment in lieu of board action when based on unfitness 244 Resignation of enlisted personnel on unspecified enlistment in lieu of board action when based on unsuitability 245 Resignation of enlisted personnel on unspecified enlistment in lieu of separation for disloyalty or unsuitability 246 Discharge for the good of the service 247 Unsuitability/multiple reasons 248 Unsuitability 249 Resignation (Class II homosexual) of personnel on unspecified enlistment 250 Punitive discharges, Class I homosexual, general court martial 251 Punitive discharge, Class II homosexual, general court martial 252 Punitive discharge, Class I homosexual, special court martial 253 Discharge as a result of board action (Class II homosexual). Rescinded 255 Retirement in lieu of discharge under AR 635-89 (homosexuality). Rescinded OR Punitive discharge, Class II homosexual, special court martial 256 Acceptance of discharge (Class II homosexual) in lieu of board action. Rescinded 257 Acceptance of discharge as a result of board action (Class II homosexual) OR Unfitness, homosexual acts (getting caught) 258 Unfitness, multiple reasons 260 Unsuitability - inaptitude 261 Inaptitude - illiterate OR Psychiatric or psychoneurotic disorder 262 Unsuitability - enuresis 263 Enuresis (bed-wetting) 264 Unsuitability, character and behavior disorders 265 Character disorders 270 Placed on temporary disability retired list 270 Release from EAD and revert to retired list at ETS 271 Permanently retired by reason of physical disability 273 Physical disability with entitlement to receive disability severance pay 274 Physical disability resulting from intentional misconduct or willful neglect or incurred during period of unauthorized NAM VET Newsletter Page 50 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 absence. Not entitled to severance pay 276 Release from EAD and revert to retired list prior to ETS 277 Physical disability, EPTS (existing prior to service) established by medical board and individual made application for discharge by reason of physical disability (not entitled to receive disability severance pay) 278 Physical disability, EPTS, established by physical evaluation proceedings (not entitled to receive disability severance pay) 280 Misconduct, fraudulent entry (enlistee not revealing criminal record) 281 Desertion, trial barred by 10 U.S.C. 843 (Art. 43, U.C.M.J.). Rescinded OR Unsanitary habits 282 Misconduct, prolonged unauthorized absence for more than one year (desertion) 283 Misconduct, AWOL, trial waived or deemed inadvisable 284 Convicted or adjudged a juvenile offender by a civil court during current term of active military service 285 Initially adjudged a juvenile offender by a civil court during current term of active military service. Rescinded 286 Repeated military offenses not warranting court martial 287 Unclean habits, including VD repeated times 288 Habits or traits of character manifested by anti-social amoral trends 289 Unsuitability, alcoholism 290 Desertion (court martial) 291 Alcoholism 292 Other than desertion (court martial) 293 General court martial 294 Special court martial 311 Alien without legal residence in the United States 312 Separation of members of Reserve components on active duty, who, due to age, would be precluded from obtaining eligibility for retired pay as provided by title 10 U.S.C. section 1331-1337 313 To immediately enlist or reenlist 314 Important to national health, safety, or interest 316 Release, lack of jurisdiction, writ of habeas corpus 318 Conscientious objection 319 Erroneous enlistment 320 To become a policeman 333 Discharge of Cuban volunteers upon completion of specified training. Rescinded 344 Release of Cuban volunteers upon completion of specified training. Rescinded 361 Homosexual tendencies 362 Unsuitability, homosexual tendencies, desires or interest without overt homosexual acts. (Class II homosexual) (Processed under AR 635-89) 367 Erroneous enlistment OR Aggressive reaction 368 Anti-social personality 369 Cyclothymic personality 370 Released from EAD (entry on active duty) by reason of physical disability and revert to inactive status for the purpose of retirement under the provisions of title 10 U.S.C. NAM VET Newsletter Page 51 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 sections 1331-1337, in lieu of discharge with entitlement to receive disability severance pay 381 Desertion, trial deemed inadvisable (Spanish-American War or World War I). Rescinded 383 Criminalism 384 Unfitness, drug addiction or unauthorized use or possession of habit-forming narcotic drugs or marijuana 385 Pathological lying 386 Unfitness, an established pattern for shirking 387 Habits or traits of character manifested by misconduct 388 Unfitness, sexual perversion, including but not limited to lewd and lascivious acts, indecent acts with or assault upon a child, or other indecent acts or offenses 411 Early separation of overseas returnee 412 Enlisted members of medical holding detachments who, upon completion of hospitalization, do not intent to immediately enlist or reenlist in regular army 413 To enter or return to college, university, or equivalent educational institution 414 To accept or return to employment 415 Early release of inductees who have served on active duty prior to their present tour of duty 416 Physical disqualifications for duty in MOS 418 Discharge of enlisted personnel who complete 30 years active federal service and do not submit application for retirement 419 Discharge of enlisted personnel over 55 years of age who have completed 20 years active federal service and do not submit application for retirement 420 Discharge or release of individuals with less than 3 months remaining to serve who fail to continue as student (academic failure) at service academies 421 Early release at Christmas will be issued as appropriate by Army and has been included in separation edit table. Rescinded 422 Early release at original ETS of enlisted personnel who have executed a voluntary extension. Rescinded 423 Early release after original ETS of personnel serving on a voluntary extension. Rescinded 424 Separation at ETS after completing a period of voluntary extension. Rescinded 425 Discharge (inductee) to enlist for Warrant Office Flight Training 426 Discharge (inductee) to enlist to attend critical MOS school 427 Discharge (inductee) to enlist in Regular Army for purpose of attending OCS 428 Separation of enlisted personnel for failure to complete OCS 429 Discharge for failure after enlistment to qualify medically for flight training 430 Early separation of personnel denied reenlistment under qualitative management program 431 Enlisted personnel may be discharged or released from active duty, as appropriate, prior to the expiration of their terms of service or periods for which order to active duty (under title 10 U.S.C. section 1169) 432 Early release, enlistment inactive Army National Guard of U.S. Army Reserve units 433 Involuntary release of personnel on compassionate assignment 434 Early out from Vietnam. Rescinded 437 AUS, RA first term, exempted from 90 day suspension of Early NAM VET Newsletter Page 52 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Release Program for reasons of intolerable personal problems 440 Separation from concealment of serious arrest record 460 Emotional instability reaction 461 Inadequate personality 462 Mental deficiency 463 Paranoid personality 464 Schizoid personality 469 Unsuitability 480 Personality disorder 482 Desertion, trial barred by 10 U.S.C. section 843 (Art. 43, U.C.M.J.). Rescinded 488 Unsuitability, general discharge separation 489 Disloyal or subversive (Military Personnel Security Program) 500 Resignation - hardship 501 Resignation - national health, safety, or interest 502 Resignation - completion of required service 503 Resignation - enlistment in the Regular Army - Regular Officer 504 Resignation - withdrawal of ecclesiastical endorsement 505 Resignation - serving under a suspended sentence to dismissal 508 Resignation - to attend school 509 Resignation - in lieu of elimination because of substandard or unsatisfactory performance of duty 510 Resignation - interest of national security (in lieu of elimination) 511 Resignation - in lieu of elimination (homosexuality) 518 Resignation - in lieu of elimination because of unfitness or unacceptable conduct 522 Resignation - in lieu of elimination because of conduct triable by courts-martial or in lieu thereof 524 Resignation - unqualified or other miscellaneous reasons 528 Resignation - marriage 529 Resignation - pregnancy 530 Resignation - parenthood (minor children) 536 Voluntary discharge (substandard performance of duty) 537 Involuntary discharge - unfitness (unacceptable conduct) 539 Voluntary discharge - termination of RA or AUS warrant or member serving on active duty in RA or AUS warrant to retire in commissioned status 545 Involuntary discharge - failure of selection for permanent promotion (commissioned officers) 546 Involuntary discharge - failure of selection for permanent promotion (warrant officer) 550 Involuntary discharge - reasons as specified by HDQA 551 Involuntary discharge - administrative discharge, GCM 552 Dismissal - general court-martial (homosexuality) 554 Dismissal - general court-martial 555 Involuntary discharge - failure to complete basic, company officer, or associate company officer course - USAR officers 556 Failure to complete basic, company officer, or associate company officer course - ARNGUS officers 558 Voluntary discharge - conscientious objection 586 Involuntary discharge - for reasons involving board action or in lieu thereof (homosexuality) 588 Involuntary discharge - reasons involving board action, or in lieu thereof - unfitness or unacceptable conduct 589 Voluntary discharge - reasons involving board action, or in lieu thereof, due to substandard performance of duty 590 Involuntary discharge - interest of national security NAM VET Newsletter Page 53 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 595 Involuntary discharge - pregnancy 596 Involuntary discharge - parenthood (minor children) 597 Voluntary discharge - administrative 599 Voluntary REFRAD - lack of jurisdiction 602 Voluntary REFRAD - national health, safety, or interest 603 Involuntary REFRAD - due to disapproval of request for extension of service 604 Voluntary REFRAD - hardship 606 Voluntary REFRAD - dual-status officer to revert to regular warrant officer 609 Voluntary REFRAD - to attend school or accept a teaching position 610 Voluntary REFRAD - marriage 611 Officer, expiration of active duty commitment, voluntarily serving on active duty 612 Voluntary REFRAD - expiration of active-duty commitment, involuntarily serving on active duty 616 Voluntary REFRAD - selection for entrance to a service academy 618 Voluntary REFRAD - in lieu of serving in lower grade than Reserve grade 619 Discharge by request, includes MC or DC officers 620 Voluntary REFRAD - interdepartmental transfer of other than medical officers 621 Voluntary REFRAD - in lieu of unqualified resignation 623 Voluntary REFRAD - interdepartmental transfer of medical officers 624 Voluntary REFRAD - release from ADT to enter on 24 months' active duty 625 Voluntary REFRAD - annual screening, voluntary release prior to 90th day subsequent to receipt of notification 627 Involuntary REFRAD - maximum age 631 Involuntary REFRAD - failure of selection for permanent Reserve promotion (discharged) 632 Involuntary REFRAD - failure of selection for permanent Reserve promotion (commission retained) 633 Involuntary REFRAD - failure of selection for promotion, temporary 640 Involuntary REFRAD - commissioned officer under sentence of dismissal and warrant officer under sentence of dishonorable discharge awaiting appellate review 644 Voluntary and involuntary REFRAD - convenience of government, or as specified by Secretary of the Army 645 Involuntary REFRAD - annual screening, release on 90th day subsequent to receipt of notification 646 Involuntary REFRAD - maximum service, warrant officers 647 Involuntary REFRAD - maximum service, commissioned officers 648 Involuntary REFRAD - completion of prescribed years of service 649 Involuntary REFRAD - withdrawal of ecclesiastical endorsement 650 Involuntary REFRAD - physically disqualified upon order to active duty 651 Involuntary REFRAD - release of Reserve unit and return to Reserve status 652 Involuntary REFRAD - release of unit of NG or NG(US) and return to state control 655 Involuntary REFRAD - revert to retired list, not by reason of physical disability 657 Involuntary REFRAD - physical disability. Revert to inactive NAM VET Newsletter Page 54 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 status for purpose of retirement under Chapter 67, 10 U.S.C., in lieu of discharge with entitlement to receive disability severance pay 660 Physical disability discharge - entitlement to severance pay 661 Physical disability discharge - disability resulting from intentional misconduct, or willful neglect, or incurred during a period of unauthorized absence. Not entitled to receive disability severance pay 662 Physical disability discharge - EPTS, established by physical evaluation board. Not entitled to disability severance pay 668 Dropped from rolls - AWOL, conviction and confinement by civil authorities 669 Dropped from rolls - AWOL, desertion 672 Involuntary REFRAD - medical service personnel who receive unfavorable background investigation and/or National Agency Check 681 Voluntary REFRAD - to accept employment with a legally established law enforcement agency 685 Resignation - failure to resign under Chapter 16, AR 635-120, when determined to be in the best interests of the government and the individual 689 Voluntary REFRAD - reduction in strength, voluntary release prior to 90th day subsequent to receipt of notification 690 Involuntary REFRAD - reduction in strength, release on 90th day subsequent to receipt of notification 701 Early release of personnel assigned to installations or units scheduled for inactivation or permanent change of station 741 Mandatory retirement - failure of selection for promotion, established retirement date, commissioned officer 742 Discharge and reenlistment for purposes of meeting length of service requirement for overseas movement of dependents. Rescinded. 743 Release of units of ARNG OR ARNGUS from active federal service and return thereof to state control 744 Mandatory retirement - failure of selection for promotion, early retirement date, commissioner officers 745 Mandatory retirement - failure of selection for promotion, early retirement date, warrant officers 747 Mandatory retirement - failure of selection for promotion, retained for retirement, commissioned officer 748 Mandatory retirement - failure of selection for promotion, retained for retirement, warrant officer 749 Early release of Puerto Rican personnel who fail to qualify for training 753 Release of unit of USAR and return thereof to Corps control 764 Release of REP 64 enlisted personnel upon completion of MOS training 771 Mandatory retirement - commissioned officers, unfitness or substandard performance of duty 772 Mandatory retirement - warrant officers, unfitness or substandard performance of duty 941 Dropped from rolls, as deserter 942 Dropped from rolls, as military prisoner 943 Dropped from rolls, as missing or captured 944 Death, battle casualty 945 Death, non-battle (resulting from disease) 946 Death, non-battle (resulting from other than disease) 947 Current term of service voided as fraudulently enlisted while AWOL from prior service NAM VET Newsletter Page 55 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 948 To enter U.S. Military Academy 949 To enter any of the service academies (other than USMA) 971 Erroneously reported as returned, from dropped from rolls as deserter (previously reported under transaction ______) 972 Erroneously reported as restored to duty, from dropped from rolls as military prisoner (perviously reported under transaction code C3) 973 Erroneously reported as returned, from dropped from rolls as missing or captured (previously reported under transaction code CC) 976 Minority, void enlistment 979 Erroneously reported as enlisted, inducted, or ordered into active military service 982 Release from active duty upon demobilization of National Guard units (applicable only to members of National Guard units who, upon relief from active duty, will be reordered to ACDUTRA for completion of ACDUTPA) 985 Released from military control and dropped from the Army rolls (by authority of Department of Army letter) 986 Retired Regular Army enlisted personnel serving on active duty in USAR status, who are released at expiration of period of service for which ordered to active duty (or period of service as extended) and revert to USAR status. Rescinded 987 Retired Regular Army enlisted personnel serving on active duty status, who are released prior to expiration of period of service for which ordered to active duty (or period of service as extended) and revert to USAR retired status. Rescinded NAM VET Newsletter Page 56 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 ================================================================= H e a r t s n ' M i n d s ================================================================= Reaching out to Native American Veterans Input by: G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 [Note from Joe: This is a reprint of a 7/85 article which appeared in the DAV Magazine. I'm specially interested in knowing whether there has been a change in services rendered our Native Americans in YOUR area.] DAV PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN SOUTH DAKOTA (From the July, 1985 DAV Magazine) The DAV has launched a Native American Veterans Outreach Program designed to assist those veterans and their families and survivors residing on Indian reservations. The nationwide effort follows a DAV pilot project conducted earlier this year [1985] that concluded Native American veterans weren't receiving the full range of VA care, benefits and assistance to which they were entitled. "The pilot project made it very apparent that this particular group of veterans has not been receiving the benefits and services they have earned," said DAV Assistant National Adjutant Robert H. Lenham, who is coordinating the program. "Native American veterans are clearly in need of the DAV's assistance. And our goal is to ensure that they and their families receive the benefits to which they are entitled." The program - which will take DAV Field Service Units to many of the nation's reservations in the next few months - was recently launched in Sisseton, S.D., during the 4th Annual Vietnam Veterans Inter-Tribal Association Traditional Pow Wow. According to Lenham, the gathering in South Dakota not only served as a launching site for the DAV's outreach efforts, but introduced the DAV to many veteran's from different tribes throughout the nation as well. "It gave us the opportunity to talk with many Native American veterans who are also leaders in their tribes. It was a chance to learn further how and what kinds of assistance the DAV can furnish." It was also a cross-cultural education in veterans helping veterans. "Today's Indian can go from buckskins and beads to Brooks Brothers suits," said Tommy Roubideaux, a Native American Vietnam vet. "In assisting vets on the reservation, in order for any outreach effort to be a success, there must be both an acknowledgement of our veteran status, and an acceptance of our ceremonies and rituals. "Our cultures, our traditions differ widely from traditional American practices. So in order to communicate with Indians, one must first learn the Indian way to communicate. Past programs haven't done that, so they've failed the Indian veteran." Other Native American veterans said there must also be a sense of urgency in the DAV's outreach program. "We're losing veterans daily to suicide and alcoholism," said one. "Time's running out NAM VET Newsletter Page 57 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 for our veterans who see no hope for help." The gathering in Sisseton offered the DAV a chance to start providing that help. And the DAV National Service Officers (NSOs) staffing the field service unit also got a continuing course in the special needs of Native American veterans. At the tope of this page, teepees are silhouetted against the setting sun. Although most opted for the relative comforts of travel trailers or mobile homes, the teepees served as perhaps the most visible reminder of Native American cultural heritage during the four-day event. On the facing page, top, DAV NSOs are shown at the Field Service Unit that was brought to the gathering. Fro left are Robert H. Lenham, DAV assistant national adjutant; Larry Bouska, supervisor of the DAV's National Service Office in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Johnnie Hernandez, supervisor of the DAV's National Service Office in Albuquerque, N.M., and a full-blooded Shoshone. Not pictured is Walt Zomont, an NSO in the DAV's National Service Office in Buffalo, N.Y., who is also a Tuscarora. Above and at right, an important part of inter-tribal gatherings such as that held in South Dakota is the opportunity to display the varying styles of tribal dress. Representatives from the different tribes also demonstrate ceremonies, traditions and dances unique to their respective tribes. Passing along generations of tradition and culture involve both the very young and the very old. Many children, such as the one shown here, wear costumes that required many hours of hand beading and sewing to accurately reflect the tribes traditional dress. Songs and dances that honor important events and special occasions are written by tribal members and passed down through generations. The DAV was honored with a song written for the occasion. In addition, both the DAV National Organization and the Department of South Dakota were presented ceremonial quilts, bearing patterns reserved for particularly honored guests. During the weekend, cultural functions intermingled with modern- day approaches to dealing with the mutual needs of Native American veterans. A panel discussion on problems facing Vietnam veterans included the DAV's Lenham, tribal leaders and Congressman Tom Daschle (D-S.D.). And staff members from both the VA's Vet Centers and Medical Center in Sioux Falls were on hand with information and a lot of questions of their own. "The DAV's Native American Outreach Program has made a small start," Lenham concluded at the end of the weekend in South Dakota. "Our job, as with past successful DAV outreach programs, is to build from that beginning. We're committed to helping our fellow veterans. The Native Americans here have demonstrated they welcome our help. Equally important, they welcome our comradeship as members of a brotherhood of all this nation's disabled veterans. That, in the end, is what drew each of us to the DAV." NAM VET Newsletter Page 58 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 "PURPOSE" By: Jim Zagrzebski VETS HOUSE RBBS - Madison, WI (608) 255-8386 Oh! See him watch, amidst our growing Glow, She, his Soul, his Point of Light, Him suffer, suffer, suffer to know His Father's Daughter must fight Alone, almost, a darkness generated Try and try, as with his Son, To shroud Her Divinity Created With confusion formed in education. Still! Her own Divine glimmer grows! Beauty's Point of Light Through all of darkness glows! Let it Be! She, too, builds the Might To see - You, Me, We - Our Veteran Fathers' Right: Our Daughters' Universal Points of Light. Light! A Veteran Father's Right is MIght! Our Whole New World She makes shine: Veterans' Daughters Points of Light Take the Glow to Divine. Not God nor Man dare reverse Her glowing, growing Point of Light! She creates Her Veteran Fathers' Universe! A Veteran Father NAM VET Newsletter Page 59 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 It's finally here - a patch which acknowledges the other side of the Vietnam Veteran: His wife! Hardly needing any explanation, it is multicolor with Red, White, Blue, Green and Gold for the Map of Vietnam. While the text drawing below doesn't really do it justice, I think if you run it out on your printer, you'll sorta get the idea of how special this unique patch is. They are available for $5 each from VETLink #1 - Dept. 65 P O Box 2056 Pittsfield, MASSACHUSETTS 01202 (Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery) @@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@ @@@@@ @@@@@ @@@@@@@@ @@@@ @@@ @@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@ V I E T N A M V E T S W I F E @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ :@@@@@@@@@@@: :@@@@@@@@@@@: @@@ @@@ @.............@ @.............@ @@@ @@@ @...............@ @...............@ @@@ @@@ @.................@ @.................@ @@@ @@@ (...................@@...................) @@@ @@@ @............. ..............@ @@@ @@@ @.............. MAP OF USA ..............@ @@@ @@@ @................. .................@ @@@ @@@ @................. WITH .................@ @@@ @@@ @.............. ...............@ @@@ @@@ @............... MAP OF ...............@ @@@ @@@ (........ .......) @@@ @@@ @...... VIET NAM SUPERIMPOSED ......@ @@@ @@@ @........ .........@ @@@ @@@ @.......... OVER IT ............@ @@@ @@@ I @ ............................ @ N @@@ @@@ @............................@ @@@ @@@ @..........................@ A @@@ @@@ S @........................@ @@@ @@@ @....................@ M @@@ @@@ T @..................@ @@@ @@@ @................@ @@@ @@@ A @............@ Y @@@ @@@ @..........@ @@@ @@@ N @......@ M @@@ @@@ @..@ @@@ @@@ D @@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ B Y @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ (c) 1988 VVA Chapter #65 Pittsfield, MA NAM VET Newsletter Page 60 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 "Santa Fe's Vietnam vets aren't Fonda new neighbor" El Paso Times, NM Sept. 16,1990 Input by: Joyce Flory NAM VETs Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 SANTA FE - Jane Fonda is considering Santa Fe for a second home, but officers of a Vietnam Veterans organization wish she wouldn't move there. "Vets are saying, 'Jane, go back to California, go build your mansion in Hanoi, not Santa Fe,'" said William Rael, secretary- treasurer of New Mexico's northern chapter in Santa Fe. Fonda was a high-profile anti-Vietnam War activist. During a 1972 trip to the North Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, Fonda posed on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun as photographers took pictures. Patricia Newcombe, Fonda's press representative in Los Angeles, confirmed that Fonda has bought property in Santa Fe. Rael told the Albuquerque Tribune that some veterans are certain to call for some type of demonstration against Fonda if she decides to come to Santa Fe. Enrique Aguilar, a former president of Vietnam Veterans of New Mexico, said, "There are many vets who feel that Jane Fonda has never paid for the crime of treason." Newcombe said Fonda would be hurt by such comments. "She has said that going to North Vietnam was not the right way to express her opposition to the war. But she has not apologized for opposing the war," Newcombe said. Not all veterans in Santa Fe said Fonda would be unwelcome. Jim McKay, Santa Fe city attorney and a Vietnam War vet, said he sympathized with the veterans who made negative comments. "But I'm more of a live-and-let-live sort of person," he said. "Santa Fe has always attracted different types of people, and Jane would be welcome just as much as anybody. "I don't have any problem if she moves here. Time heals all things." NAM VET Newsletter Page 61 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Inside a VA Hospital By: Brad Meyers FOG-LINE BBS - Ankeny, IA (515) 964-7937 I spent the first week of August in the Des Moines VAMC for surgery. Shocked the daylights to get into the hospital in less than 6 months for what was in essence elective [but medically indicated] surgery. Nonetheless, four days from clinic to cutting. After I woke up my education started for real. The hospital has a great many people who are really busting their buckets to give the best care for the pts. In fact the entire bunch I dealt with from doctors to nurses, to the guy with the mop did a super job. The problems though were glaring and competence of the few staff available could not hide them. The ward had 30 + beds on it with pts from new sugerys to some who needed complete care. The second shift was made up of two [2] nurses and an occasional floater from somewhere else. those women ran their tushes off trying to keep up. There is no time for quality care when the sickest are the only ones you have time for and you have to gallop on to the next really hurting person. All it would have taken was a quiet emergency in a room that was not checked regularly and someone could have died. It would not have been the nurses fault. The pharmacy is starting to play games. In a move to save money they have decided [based on cost criteria] to drop medications. If there are 3 meds that work on the same type of illness, then its obvious that one or more needs to be dropped to save money. That the side effects of one drug make it rough to take [motrin is something that eats my guts out for example], but for administrative reasons they have dropped "duplications". If you are in the hospital for 72 hours all of your refills go down the drain. If your medication was one that is no longer written as a new script and you lose the old script because of the 72 hour rule then your SOL. You then have to prove your need for the meds, and the resident who is responsible for your discharge may not be allowed to write the scripts [administrative rules again]. I was told by a number of people [in MAS and Admin] that vets with purple cards were going to start having to take the means test. SC vets taking the means test. I am 70% SC and I was told that eventually everyone would have to take the test, and that the income from the disability check would be counted. I must admit that my program slipped a bit a couple of times and a pharmacy dudette caught a full load from me once and some times I found myself wishing that I still allowed myself to really act out, but thats crazy s**t. The body damage and lack of energy really sapped me out and all of that old s**t came back. There were a number of triggers to fire off on. Folks things are getting strange in the halls of the VA! Brad ... Just once I want to skip the road of happy destiny! NAM VET Newsletter Page 62 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 ================================================================= I V V E C & N a m V e t - W H E R E ? ================================================================= International Vietnam Veterans EchoConference Nodelist The following list of bulletin board systems throughout the United States and Canada host the International Vietnam Veterans' EchoConference (IVVEC). If you are a host system and do not find your name on this list, please contact G. Joseph Peck, NamVet's Managing Editor, at 1:321/203, (413)443-6313 - VETLink #1 3/12/24/9600 baud. If you see a system in this list which is not currently hosting the IVVEC, please let us know. Net/Node Name, City Telephone No Baud ========= ================================= ============== == 7:520/563 3 EEE's BBS, Clifton NJ Ed Edell 1-201-340-3531 96 107/563 EEE's BBS Clifton NJ Ed Edell 1-201-340-3531 96 141/488 Alice's Restaurant Branford CT 1-203-488-1115 24 141/250 Wilton Woods Wilton, CT 1-203-762-8481 96 124/201 Hardwired Dallas, TX 1-204-931-2987 24 344/117 LSO QuickBBS, Everett WA 1-206-334-3088 96 344/9 The Precedent, Everett WA 1-206-355-1295 ? 138/35 US HDS Human Service Seattle, WA 1-206-442-8127 24 343/26 AFMINS BBS 1-206-488-4309 96 343/111 Lessor Puget TB Edmonds, WA 1-206-742-8067 24 138/52 Burrell's Ballpark Tacoma, WA 1-206-752-4672 24 138/4 PTC Net Mount Vernon, WA 1-206-757-5248 24 138/49 The Cohort Puyallup, WA 1-206-848-2646 96 138/101 Story Board Puyallup, WA 1-206-848-5317 96 138/3 Reg17 ADVISOR EMERITUS Puyallup WA 1-206-848-9232 24 200/200 CSULB Long Beach, CA 1-213-494-8737 12 200/100 The Board Room Belmont Shores CA 1-213-498-6425 24 124/117 NCC-1701 Node 1 Dallas, TX 1-214-240-8821 24 124/106 CHAI Way II Dallas, TX 1-214-250-3323 96 136/200 The Chai Way II Austin, TX 1-214-358-3738 24 124/4210 Hardwired Dallas TX 1-214-437-4075 96 124/110 Flying Dutchman Dallas, TX 1-214-642-3436 96 124/14 Chrysalis Dallas, TX 1-214-985-9054 24 157/501 The PC-Key BBS Girard OH 1-216-545-9205 24 157/1 Auer Register Cleveland, OH 1-216-883-0578 24 227/1 Michiana TechLine Mishawaka, IN 1-219-258-0286 96 227/150 The SX Project Whiting IN 1-219-659-2711 24 13/33 Avi-Technic Lutherville, MD 1-301-252-0717 96 109/648 Falcon's Rock College Park, MD 1-301-345-7459 24 261/1004 The PainFrame 1-301-488-7461 ? 13/30 The Futurists BBS Perry Hall, MD 1-301-529-0716 96 109/717 Tin Badge BBS Silver Spring, MD 1-301-589-2016 12 109/722 Ronnie's Roadies, Camp Springs MD 1-301-736-0135 12 261/628 Liberty Hall Reisterstown, MD 1-301-833-8933 24 261/1044 Firestation BBS, Baltimore, MD 1-301-866-8613 24 261/1007 FINAL FRONTIER 1-301-947-4404 ? 104/51 P2 B2 South Denver, CO 1-303-329-3337 24 104/28 Pinecliff BBS Boulder, CO 1-303-444-7073 24 128/16 Firenet Leader Colorado Springs CO 1-303-591-9600 24 128/22 Electric Locksmith Clrdo Spg CO 1-719-392-2960 96 NAM VET Newsletter Page 63 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 128/54 Military Connection Clrdo Spg CO 1-719-591-5924 96 128/60 Falc-A-Traz Colorado Springs CO 1-719-380-8813 96 104/739 The Phoenix Parker, CO 1-303-841-9570 24 135/35 The Sober Way Out BBS Miami, FL 1-305-445-6917 24 135/27 Bitsy's Place Miami Beach FL 1-305-865-0495 96 232/4 Runways End OPUS Peoria, IL 1-309-691-5416 96 115/20 North Shore BBS Evanston, IL 1-312-491-2611 24 115/529 Elk Grove Repeater Elk Grv Vlg IL 1-708-529-1586 96 115/761 ICS/TRIX 1 OPUS Chicago, IL 1-312-761-7887 24 11/202 SouthSide BBS Indianapolis, IN 1-317-882-9330 12 380/5 Duffy's Tavern Recovery Board 1-318-436-2992 96 285/622 Friend's BBS Omaha, NE Joan Renne 1-402-896-2669 24 370/5 Athens Forum Athens, GA 1-404-546-7857 96 370/11 Classic City Vet's Conf, Athens, GA1-404-548-0130 ? 370/10 Classic Quick Echo, Athens, GA 1-404-548-0726 24 128/13 COSUG-Colorado's User Clrdo Spg CO 1-719-633-4563 24 385/6 Bink's Barn Lawton, OK 1-405-357-2473 24 385/4 Info-Net Lawton, OK 1-405-357-6181 24 147/14 Dark Star TBBS Oklahoma City, OK 1-405-691-0863 96 363/10 Midas Touch Orlando, FL 1-407-648-1133 24 363/9 MaMaB--Mark's Bedroom, Orlanda, FL 1-407-894-0807 96 157/506 Beacon Hill OPUS Transfer, PA 1-412-962-9514 24 321/109 PIONEER VALLEY PCUG #1 Amherst, MA 1-413-256-1037 96 321/203 VETLink #1 Pittsfield, MA 1-413-443-6313 96 321/210 Berkshire_Estates Pittsfield, MA 1-413-499-1327 96 125/78 Living Sober BBS San Mateo, CA 1-415-342-2859 24 125/20 SeaHunt BBS, Burlington, CA 1-415-343-5904 96 143/27 VN Vets Valhalla, San Jose, CA 1-408-298-2740 96 161/208 G.A.D.M. Multi-User Hayward, CA 1-415-581-3019 24 125/31 Echo Coord San Francisco CA 1-415-621-5206 96 161/56 Nat'l Family Forum Freemont, CA 1-415-651-4147 24 161/1 Nerd's Nook Concord CA 1-415-672-2504 96 161/509 Enterprize Pinole, CA 1-415-758-1650 24 161/7 Mover Mouse BBS Fremont, CA 1-415-883-1644 24 11/700 FCAU IBM Net Toronto, ON 1-416-427-0682 96 148/120 Genetic Research Vat Toronto ON 1-416-480-0551 24 14/703 Telen-Quest BBS 1-417-882-5108 ? 19/43 McScott's BBS, Blytheville AR 1-502-532-6212 96 105/61 Shotgun OPUS Portland, OR 1-503-760-4521 24 105/16 Net 105 EchoMail Hub Portland, OR 1-503-761-3003 24 305/105 Desert Dolphin, Las Cruces, NM 1-505-523-2811 96 322/230 Denis's OPUS, Ayer, MA (Ft.Devins) 1-508-772-6373 ? 382/1 Crystal Palace Lake Travis, TX 1-512-339-8037 24 387/401 Comp-U-Gen II San Antonio TX 1-512-496-9373 24 387/601 NCOA Intl BBS San Antonio TX 1-512-653-0409 24 382/14 Corona Del Mar Rockport, TX 1-512-729-7026 96 110/20 EDS Data Dayton, OH 1-513-455-2431 24 221/156 Waterloo CBCS PUBLIC Waterloo, ON 1-519-746-5020 96 153/130 VETSTAR (Northwest) 1-602-462-8752 24 114/13 Corwin's Keep Tempe AZ 1-602-644-0179 24 132/101 BBS Source Archive Nashua, NH 1-603-888-8179 24 153/123 DAETECH Burnaby BC 1-604-420-2641 96 153/133 Hot Line Data Network Langley BC 1-604-533-0421 24 220/20 Old Frog's Almanac Nanaimo BC 1-604-758-3072 24 153/508 Ebenezer Christian BBS Mission BC 1-604-826-6607 96 108/50 The ZOO BBS Independence, KY 1-606-283-2040 24 108/105 Global Time Systems Cincinnati, OH 1-606-341-7910 24 108/90 DATANET Info System Erlanger KY 1-606-727-3638 24 150/803 Jersey Vertex Moorestown, NJ 1-609-869-0139 24 NAM VET Newsletter Page 64 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 362/1 The Mines of Moria Chattanooga, TN 1-615-344-9601 24 362/501 Coconut Telegraph Chattanooga, TN 1-615-698-4858 24 10/215 Silver BBS San Diego, CA 1-619-226-4502 24 202/401 jabberWOCky Escondido CA 1-619-743-9935 24 109/639 The RENEX BBS Woodbridge, VA 1-703-494-8331 24 109/124 ZEPHYR National Capital Area 1-703-620-5418 96 109/604 ShanErin Alexandria, VA 1-703-941-8291 24 379/201 Metro Link Charlotte, NC 1-704-553-9534 96 125/7 Survival Forum Santa Rosa, CA 1-707-545-0746 96 125/12 The Grape Vine Santa Rosa, CA 1-707-546-4938 24 161/502 Wildcat Benicia CA 1-707-746-5820 24 106/132 Fast BBS OPUS Katy, TX 1-713-392-0093 24 106/114 The Fireside Houston, TX 1-713-496-6319 24 106/357 TMBBS Houston, TX 1-713-497-5433 24 106/108 Stormy Weather I Houston, TX 1-713-644-4345 96 106/113 The Opus Network Houston, TX 1-713-780-4153 24 106/386 Info Center Exchange Houston TX 1-713-872-4429 24 106/111 Shutterbug's OPUS Houston, TX 1-713-880-4329 24 103/507 Philosopher's Log Anaheim CA 1-714-535-1258 96 103/501 Mount Silverthorn Tustin, CA 1-714-544-3369 24 7:441/1 Lord Frog Of Swamp 1-715-362-3895 ? 13/1033 NY Transfer Staten Island, NY 1-718-448-2358 24 12/7 HPCUA Honolulu HI 1-808-422-8406 96 12/1 Aura Net Honolulu, HI 1-808-533-0190 24 130/5 CUSSNET UTA Arlington, TX 1-817-273-3966 24 366/38 Jolly Green Giant Shalimar, FL 1-904-651-3875 96 19/5 Micro Application El Paso TX 1-915-594-9738 24 381/201 Pro Link San Angelo, TX 1-915-944-2952 24 161/943 Eagle's Nest Sacramento, CA 1-916-334-2822 96 161/39 Nightline Mather AFB, CA 1-916-362-1755 24 161/11 The Byte Boutique Sacramento CA 1-916-483-8032 24 161/5 River City II OPUS Sacramento, CA 1-916-646-9678 96 161/34 Now and Zen OPUS Fair Oaks CA 1-916-962-1952 96 151/601 VMC-BBS Winston-Salem NC 1-919-744-0883 24 151/100 NC Central Raleigh, NC 1-919-851-8460 96 151/1000 REDCON Raleigh, NC 1-919-859-3353 96 632/350 Yarra Valley BBS Melbourne AU 61-3-848-331 12 NAM VET Newsletter Page 65 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 The NAM VET Roll Call The following are the current locations where the NamVet newsletter and Annual editions are currently sent and, as I understand it, available for Bark/Wazoo File Requests. Please let us know if a system near YOU carries it and it is NOT listed here. FidoNet & AlterNet Nodes: ------------------------ Scott McKnight 1:389/2001 Blytheville, Arkansas Todd Looney 1:143/27 San Jose, California Mike Nelson 1:125/20 Burlingame, California Greg Peters 1:103/232 La Mirada, California Sam Saulys 1:141/488 Branford, Connecticut John McCorkle 1:369/10 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Charles Harper 1:370/10 West Athens, Georgia Gene Clayton 1:161/414 Kauai, Hawaii Glen Randles 1:115/529 Elk Grove, Illinois Gordon Kaough 1:380/5 Lake Charles, LA Mort Sternheim 1:321/109 Amherst, Massachusetts G. Joseph Peck 1:321/203 Pittsfield, Massachusetts Pete Farias 1:321/210 Pittsfield, Massachusetts Jim Henthorn 1:261/1044 Baltimore, Maryland Bob Rudolph 1:261/0 Reisterstown, Maryland Wayne Parrish 1:308/20 Alamogordo, New Mexico Chuck Haynes 1:308/60 Alamogordo, New Mexico Mike Connealy 1:305/101 Las Cruces, New Mexico Kathleen Kelly 1:1033/0 Staten Island, New York Tom Mickus 1:480/114 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Bob Currie 1:105/204 Milwaukie, Oregon Luis Salazar 1:367/16 San Juan, P.R. Jerry Hindle 7:48/0 Stratford Heights, Tennessee Aaron Schmiedel 1:124/4106 Dallas, Texas Carrie Brown 1:130/10 Fort Worth, Texas Rick Edwards 1:106/113 Houston, Texas Bob Davis 1:106/116 Houston, Texas Art Fellner 1:106/437 Missouri City, Texas Ray Moreau 1:109/316 Herndon, Virginia Jim Barth 1:350/21 Brownsville, Washington Ralph Sims 1:350/341 Grapeview, Washington Rick Ayers 1:128/22 Colorado Springs, Colorado Paul Keefrider 1:128/54 Colorado Springs, Colorado Dan Gallat 1:128/60 Colorado Springs, Colorado Yasha Kida 1:151/305 Fayetteville, North Carolina Other Nets: ---------- Martin Kroll MetroLink Chatsworth, GA Lefty Frizzell RelayNet Houston, Texas Edward Green Shop Qbbs Exeter, NH (603)778-1698 Areas not covered: If *-YOUR-* BBS is in any of the areas listed below *-AND-* you have the NAM VET available for File Requests, please let us know your BBS (and SysOp) Name, its net/node number (if any), and its telephone number so that we might be able to direct a user in *-YOUR-* area to you. NAM VET Newsletter Page 66 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - Australian Continent - All European Continent - All Alabama Alaska Arizona Calgary, Canada Colorada Delaware Idaho Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Maine Minnesota Wisconsin Mississippi Missouri Connecticut Montana Nebraska New Jersey Nevada North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Utah Vancouver, B.C Vermonts Washington, D.C. West Virginia Winnipeg, Canada Wyoming NAM VET Newsletter Page 67 Volume 4, Number 9 September 13, 1990 Some Gave ALL ... Some Still Give!!! O O O SOME GAVE ALL ... ________O__________________________________O______________ ! O O ! ! pow mia pow mia - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - pow mia pow mia ! ! O O ! ! ~~~~~ ~ ~ O~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~ O ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ! ! ~~~~ ~ ~~ O ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~O~~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ O~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ ! ! ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ ~ ! ! ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ O ~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ ! ! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ O ~_~_~_~_~_ ~ O ~ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ) O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ /(O) / O \ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ / / O \~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ! ! ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ / PRISONER / \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ / / MISSING \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ! ! ~~~ ~ ~~ ~~ / OF /\ \~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~ ! ! ~ ~~~~ ~~ ~ / / \ IN \~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ! ! ~~~ ~~~ ~ / WAR / ~~ \ \ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~ ~ / / ~ ~~ \ ACTION / ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~~ ~~ ~~~(__________/ ~~ ~~~ \ / ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ! ! ~~~~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~ \ / ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ! ! ~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ \ / ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~ ! ! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ \ /~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ! ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ SOME STILL GIVE ! ~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ! ! mia pow mia pow - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - mia pow mia pow ! !__________________________________________________________! NAM VET Newsletter Page 68